Closing in on a Ford deal

Told you it was going to be a busy week of rumours and speculation and trade talk.

It’s all very tentative and quite up in the air but the Raptors have already investigated the possibility of a blockbuster trade that would net them a veteran – yet expensive – NBA centre.

According to league sources, Toronto has had talks with the Indiana Pacers about acquiring 29-year-old Jermaine O’Neal for a package that would include T.J. Ford, Rasho Nestervoic and, perhaps, the 17th pick in this week’s draft.

The talks are not the point where any deal is imminent and a deal is certainly not assured but the source said the Raptors are aggressively trying to move Ford and O’Neal is one of their targets.

Toronto also still has serious interest in forward Boris Diaw of the Phoenix Suns and is in talks with at least three other teams for trades of a similar magnitude.

O’Neal is coming off an injury-riddled season in which he played just 42 games and averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The 6-11 centre has been working out in Las Vegas since just after the 2007-08 season ended and according to reports has just begun full-court work.

Obtaining O’Neal will be a huge two-year financial commitment for the Raptors. He’s due to make about $21 million (all figures U.S.) this season and $23 million in 2009-10. To make the trade work under NBA salary cap rules, Toronto would have to add some other pieces in addition to Ford and Nesterovic but they have several less expensive expiring contracts that would make it work.

But even if the O’Neal trade doesn’t materialize, it does signal just how hard the Raptors are trying to move Ford so they can hand over the starting point guard job to restricted free agent Jose Calderon.

With Phoenix still in the mix and the other teams having talks with Toronto, it would appear Bryan Colangelo will have plenty of options to sift through before Thursday’s draft.

Comments

[Jonathan]

hmmm maybe...i just don't see how we want a 22 mil per year guy...mind as well get baron davis.

but i was really looking forward to tj ford being traded and getting either ben gordon or corey maggette in return (sign and trade?)

[Will]

Interesting trade, for certain. Doug, do you think JO is more of a Sam direction (board, D), whereas Diaw (versatile big man) is a BC direction...will this have any influence on the impending trade, if that is the case? Further, if JO is obtain, what does this mean for Bargs? No more starting centre, for sure... On that note, have you heard anything about Bargs progress (or lack of) this summer?

Blogger's note: This is the work of the general manager, he's the guy who makes these decisions; after consultation with others, of course.
I presume it would mean Bargnani comes off the bench in a bigs rotation of Bosh, O'Neal, Bargnani and, maybe, Hump. But nothing is imminent regarding O'Neal

[Andrew]

Now thats more like it! I'll take O'Neal over Diaw any day of the week. Although, I could definately see O'Neal and Bosh bumping heads...I don't think they're too fond of eachother - can you confirm that Doug?

Blogger's note: I don't think they've had any problems except the usual that comes when two bigs are playing against each other. And, trust me, if they can get a guy who helps on the board, Bosh won't care who it is.

[Duncan]

I'm not sure if this is the best deal for the raptors, especially if the 17th pick is included as well. It is well known that the pacers are Desperate to get rid of O'Neil, whose numbers have declined as fast as his salary has gone up. I understand the inclusion of rasho for salary reasons, but ford should be the key to the deal for pacers, and to also give them the pick would make toronto the "losers" in this trade scenario.

[Nick]

After seeing how boston did it this year, its the way to go. You don't need 11 guys on your team. You need 2-3 superstars and filler for the rest. And in two years, when this contract expires, you get to spend 22-23 million on ANOTHER superstar. This is exactly what the raps need.

[Dan]

Yikes. Don't think I like this. Interested to see how it plays out though.

[steeebo hallman]

Could this also be a ply to get 23 million in cap space during the summer of Free agents like Lebron, Wade and others?

Where does this leave the much needed swingman? I would presume that Kapono or Moon would start because they wouldn't have the assets to get a capable swingman after trading TJ and the biggest expiring contract they have.

They'd almost certainly have to use the mid level on Delfino or somebody like him.

[Dan Daoust]

I would do that deal in a second.

[RS]

Doug,

So of the two rumoured trades (Diaw or O'Neal) which do you prefer? I think the O'Neal trade, though risky due to his injury concerns, is far better. It at least addresses defense and rebounding and will ease the inside burden on Bosh. Diaw is versatile, but he doesn't help as much in the rebounding area, cannot solve the need to a true wing scorer and I struggle to think what position they would start him at.

Thoughts?

Also - what do you think of the idea of obtaining a true centre (like O'Neal) and bringing in Bargnani as the 6th man. I've often thought this is the way to go given his inconsistency. It might also help to take a bit of pressure off of him.

Thanks.

Blogger's note: Unless there's something else in the Phoenix deal, like Bell or being able to keep the pick, I like the O'Neal trade better right now.

[Andrea Bustani]

So I guess O'neal comes off the bench right? because bargnani is a starter and the raptors are committed to him......

[tony (from Indiana)]

When healthy, JO is one of the best bigs in the game and also a high character kind of guy. I like the trade for both teams. Sometimes players need a change of scenery. If it fires them up and reinvigorates them it could work out well for all, barring injury. Toronto would have quite a front line as JO can play center or power forward, which is his more natural position and would probably extend his career.

[marc in Burlington]

Hey Doug,

Jermaine O’Neal while coming with a hefty price tag would be an interesting addition to this team as a guy who plays tough defense and can clean the glass. The often maligned team toughness takes a "big" step in the right direction. But you have often spoken about character being a big part in the decision making process in bringing guys into Toronto. How does JO stack up in the character department? Wasn't he one of the Pacers suspended for his role in the Malice at the Palace donnybrook? In your opinion is he more chior boy or more thug?

Cheers dude,

Blogger's note: I'll get into lots more O'Neal stuff in tomorrow morning's blog but he's not a thug and, quite frankly, has two years to regain his spot as one of the premier bigs in the game so he'll be extra motivated.

[Brad]

Doug, just curious why you discussed this trade rumour vs some of the other rumours that are out there regarding Ford? I know you mentioned that nothing was imminent, but for you to choose this rumour to write about it must mean the sources are fairly credible and the possibility is much higher than just a passing rumour? Definitely a high risk-high reward trade, will be interesting to see if it goes through.

Blogger's note: Exactly. This one, unlike others you hear about third-hand, has legitimacy and has absolutely been discussed.

[Chris Clarke]

Would Jermaine O'Neal be that much of an upgrade over Rasho? He's a guy who demands the ball in the high post and settles for way too many 18-foot jumpers. To give up Rasho and TJ for someone who, I think, does similar things to Bosh, is not a great move. O'Neal is on the downside of his career, and I don't think he'd be a great fit on the team personality-wise.

I love how almost 90% of the players in the NBA are open to GM discussions as the draft approaches. Should make for a fun week.

[Justin]

The guy played only 42 games last year and has always had an attitude problem...man I hope they work something out with Phoenix for Diaw instead of O'neal.

[Vincent Muambi]

Man...isn't Colangelo something. If he can pull off that trade with Indiana that would be great for Toronto. I can imagin Calderon-Bosh-O'Neal-Capono-Anthony Parker as a potential starting five here in Toronto. I'm be praying that this trade happens!!!

Thank God for Colangelo. He is the basketball Genius that will deliver for this team!

[Tim]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop Doug!

[Amanda]

If they do acquire O'Neal (not overly fond of the idea), what does this mean for Bargnani? Obviously he'd be bumped to the bench (unless for some inexplicable reason they put O'Neal at SF). If he's still the apple of Colangelo's eye then why would he make a situation where Bargnani would have no chance to be a starter all season (bearing injuries, of course).

Blogger's note: If it happens, and it remains a big "if" Bosh and O'Neal start, Bargnani comes off the bench.

[Robert S]

Wow, that would be a interesting addition to the team. I just hope that they know for sure that he is healthy

04-05 44 GP
05-06 51 GP
06-07 69 GP
07-08 42 GP

[edgar]

Doug i cant see this as realstic especially because of TJ's BYC clause which we all know makes him virtually untradeable before july 1st (without 3 team swap). And we all know that you cant trade a pick that has already been picked. I can see some possibility of a trade happening but only if Indiana is doing a TJ Ford + expiring contracts of Rasho and Parker for Jermaine O'neal. Hell we should get a pick just for taking his salary with so many unknowns about his health (thats prolly what they are saying about Ford in Indiana though). Lets be honest if someone was speculating this a month ago you would have chalked it up as a virtual impossibility.... right?

Blogger's note: No, I don't think I would have chalked it up to a 'virtual impossibility' at all. A bit out there, maybe, but nothing is impossible. And, trust me (or don't, I really don't care) this is very realistic and the salary implications have been taken into consideration.
And what would stop the Raptors from taking a guy for Indy at No. 17 and then consummating the deal later? Nothing.

[John S]

If we can get 50 games a year out of Jermaine O'Neal, I think that this is a fantastic deal for a number of reasons:

1) The Raptors can't rebound. Also, without another interior option other than Bosh, teams are sealing him off of the glass knowing that the Raptors aren't much of a threat to get offensive boards.

2) O'Neal's contract expires at the end of 2010. With that being the summer of Lebron/Wade/Bosh etc, that may be the most valuable expiring contract in the NBA which makes for a HUGE trade asset. Think that the Knicks/Lakers/Chicago won't mortgage their future in order to have a run at Lebron?

3) O'Neal runs the high pick and roll very well which is the Raps bread and butter. With O'Neal operating in the low post and with Bosh at the top of the key, teams won't be able to double either player. Additionally, with Parker and Kapono (and Jose) able to stretch the defense with some of the most accurate 3 point shooters in the league, all of a sudden Toronto has a viable inside-out type of offense.

But it does bring into question how the Raptors will choose to use Bargnani... as he's a shooter, he needs minutes to keep his rhythm. Will going back to the bench take him another step back in his progression? Could this deal mortgage his long-term future?

[Ken]

"but they have several less expensive expiring contracts that would make it work". Maybe that Garbajosa buyout was a little premature, if this deal indeed goes down.

I don't agree with giving up the pick, too, though. Indiana is desperate to unload O'Neal, so they'd probably make the trade anyway, with or without the pick. Remember, the Pacers got Danny Granger at no.17, so it's not like it's a throwaway pick, and the Raptors could draft either Hibbert or Lopez to help out when O'Neal inevitably gets hurt.

[Jawad]

This could be a very interesting package. Definetly brings the missing D and rebounding thats needed..... i'd worry about how this might change the number of touches that CB4 would get, who knows if JO is ready to not be the 1st option (especially not the 1st option in the POST!)
If JO is healthy (i'm having flashbacks of the Dream wearing the Dino), it could free up Bosh to be an absolute MONSTER (look at what the addition of Shaq did for Amare's production).
The 'silver lining' of any injury is that it at least represents fewer 'miles on the odometer'.
Doug, do you think the Raps would play CB+JO together (Twin Towers) or maybe platoon them between 1st and 2nd units?

Blogger's note: I'm virtually certain they would start alongside each other.

[Uncle Zeke]

Hmmm... interesting. Definitely the type of risk the Raptors have to take if they want to compete. With the high risk ONeal brings and the fact the BC might be willing to take the chance on him- I think this speaks to the fact the BC has finally given up on the Bust formerly known as Bargnani... Good riddance.

[Ryan]

At first I was a bit hesitant about liking this deal, but the more I think about it, it sounds like a great one for the Raptors. Considering Ford may not have the highest trade value, getting someone like O'Neal would be a great job by Colangelo. O'Neal's obviously got some injury problems that hopefully can be avoided, but he would instantly help the Raptors solve most of the post problems when healthy.

You would have to wonder where the new swingman would come from though... but I suppose you can't get everything you want.