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

[Steven Banks]

We are going to be like Phoenix 8 high paid players and the rest under 1 million dollars

Steven

[Ro]

Whats with Toronto getting centres on the downside of their career? Jo is an upgrade over Ford, but JO is I think more of a risk injury wise. Do we really expect him to play a full regular season and playoffs? When was the last time he played that long? I'm playing the skeptic of course, but I don't see why we can't get a starting wing and draft big instead.

[Gali]

Is Colangelo losing his magic?

O'Neil is not a center but a PF. How will that play with Bosh? same with Diaw. Diaw and Bosh are the exact same player and O'Neil requires the ball in the post (where would Bosh be?).

The raps need a solid 2 or a 3 player, not another 4....(unless Bosh is injured).

Calderon is also a liability on defense so who will pick up the slack? we need a block shot guy not another finesse player.

Last but not least the reporters in this city have dropped the ball on the Anthony Parker or Delfino deal to Greece (these are rumors but from what I hear the Greeks are pursuing them aggressively).

Blogger's note: No one's dropped any ball on any deal involving Greece. The Raptors are not likely to release AP from his contract so it's really a non-starter as a story. As one of us wrote this morning.

[John MacDonald]

Hey Doug,

I'm not sure if this deal is exactly what the raps need. They will be putting all their eggs in one basket and I'm never a fan of that, well unless you're the celtics and get 3 future hall of famers. Anyway, the thing that gets me the most iffy on this trade is the fact that who would we have backing up Calderon? Can we get Roko to come over from europe? Is there a decent backup pg out there in free agency? I think if the raps are confident in either getting Roko, or signing a backup point guard free agent then the deal might work. But this does nothing to solve the hole at small forward.

[Chris]

Bargnani would get plenty of minutes, as O'Neal would not be playing 42 minutes a night. It also gives Bargnani more time to develop with out pressure. This trade would also open the court up for Bosh, as well as open it up for someone else named Jason Kapono.

Raptors had a tough time getting Kapono open looks this year, as Bosh was really the only double team. With two bigs to contend with, look for Kapono to have a break-out year....and yes, he WILL be a starter this year if O'Neal is in a raptors uniform, you can take that to the bank.

in the end, the trade is damaged goods for damaged goods + salary fill, and the raptors will be looking good on paper at the end of it. Hell it's not my money...so go for it BC!!

[VoiceOfReason]

Wow, this would be fantastic.

If they had Bosh and Oneal, they wouldn't need an athletic wing, as they'd have Oneal to block the shots, and on O they'd play inside out all day.

Duncan is right, you need 2-3 awesome guys (Bosh, JO, Calderon), and they'll make the rest of the scrubs look a lot better. Bosh/JO/Bargs, Calderon/Ukic, Delfino/Parker, Kapono/Moon, that's a hell of a rotation.

This plays into BC's vision even better, with JO and Bosh, Kapono would be getting open shots all night.

If this plays out, I bet the Raps make it to the Eastern Conference Finals next year.

[Jonathan]

Vick: How would they trade for Maggette after the O'Neal deal? Don't forget, Maggette is an unrestricted FA and Toronto won't have the cap space to sign him for anything above the mid-level, either with or without O'Neal. The only way to get him was to do a sign and trade with the Clippers, but with Ford gone, unless the Clips decide to take Toronto's scrubs, they won't have enough to make a deal.

[Wesley]

I donno, I'm iffy about that trade, O'Neal just needs to stay healthy and then we're good. But who's gonna be our backup PG? Should we keep the draft pick and draft a PG instead of a bigman?

[Vince]

It seems like some people want quintuple towers...Magette at the 2? No. Bargnani at 3? No. The O'Neal trade is good because we still have Kapono and Moon at the 3 (Moon off the bench, a la Bruce Bowen), and Parker and Delfino at the 2 (Delfino off the bench as a slasher, a la Manu Ginobili). Teams will have to pack it in against the twin towers and our shooters can make them pay (see 07/08 stats for Parker, Calderon, and Kapono from 3-point range). The bench brings a whole new look that teams will have to adapt to.
However, I agree that we need to keep the pick for this trade to work for us in order to get a young big that can step in off the bench when O'Neal gets hurt, while Bargnani can start in his place. I think the trade would vault Toronto ahead of Orlando and Cleveland (and maybe Detroit).

[M L Hindman]

I kind of seeing this trade as boiling down to the following:

Take TJ's talent and injury history and pour it into Rasho's bigger body and better defensive IQ and presto you have JO in a nut shell.

Also, I see a great tandem of JO and Bargs splitting a lot of time at the 5 spot. On one side it lessens the physical abuse on JO and takes the production pressure off of Bargs. Not unlike the PG duo from last year.

thoughts?

[Jim K]

I like how O'Neil's health is a concern to Raptor fans. Folks - remember that TJ could retire if he sustains another collision. God forbid that happens, but if I were to choose, I'd take O'Neil's health risk over TJ's risk.

[SY]

I just hope that BC can work his magic and get this deal done without having to give up the 17th pick. BC can then use the pick on CDR or Greene. Even though JO is injury-prone but as long as he passes the NBA physical then it is a good risk. In the case if JO does end up not working out for the raptors, BC can definitely move his expiring contract. Not only we solve some of our defensive deficiencies by acquiring JO but we also kind of solve our SF problem by using the 17th pick on a SF (whether this works out or not is anyone's guess). Also, it should be a good change of scenary for JO, being along-side with another all star on a playoff bound team. A win-win situation.

[Ron]

IF this trade happens. IF... What are your thoughts on the possibility of seeing Bosh, Bargnani and O'Neal on the floor at the same time?

Blogger's note: Seldom. We saw AB as a three in the post-season. Maybe in the odd game for a few minutes but nothing consistent.

[Christian from Mississauga]

If this deal goes through and assuming JO is healthy to start at 5, where does Bargnani comes in? Will he be forced top play back up at 5? Does he have the ability to start at 3 because Bosh is already locked up at the 4 spot.

[Alain Rousselle]

This trade is good even if JO gets injured the first day of the season. I don't think we're ever gonna get close to winning a championship in the next 2 years, so we must look to the future. This trade makes us better in the short run (if JO plays 60-70 games), and gives us great cap space when his contract is up.

I also agree that it would take a lot of pressure off of Bargs' back.

Name 5 better big man combos than CB4 and JO, in the east?

[Andy]

What a risk. The guy is one of the most injury prone players in NBA history, but when he's on, hes a great post player.

I'd be hesitant to give up the 17th pick with it, as all of our assests would then be dedicated to this one deal...with no way to boost our wing positions.

[Serge Papineau]

Doug how big a factor in this (would-be) trade is the fact that JO's contract expires in 09-10 (i.e. The Summer of the Big Free Agents)? Do you think Colangelo intends to "rent" JO for a couple of seasons and then use his giant expiring contract to fleece a team trying to get under the cap to make a run at Bron, Bosh or Wade?

Blogger's note: The length of the contract has lots to do with it. No question.

[rk]

Hi Doug,
If this trade involving Jermaine O'Neil were to happen, where would you rank the Raptors' frontcourt in the NBA? (Limiting the selection to the 4 and 5 spot)

Blogger's note: I'm going to have to think about that if the trade goes through. And that's not a certainty

[scott G]

That has to be one of the worst ideas I have ever heard! There is NO WAY I trade a 25 year old point guard (even with his spinal issues) for a 30ish center who is INJURED ALL THE DAMN TIME.. What makes this rumor more Ridicules is the fact that the #17 pick is being considered as part of this BRUTAL deal. I DON’T EVER wan to see Jermain O’Neal on this team….. He is an OLD WASHED UP INJURY PRONE BENCH SITTING MONEY TAKING HAS BEEN!

Pacers win this trade by a landslide!

That is one CRAPY TRADE!

[Patrick]

I'm not sure if J.O'neal is a good deal since his injuries really keep him out for his highest level. However, to move Ford is must do in order to let Calerdon play at a stater while raps can sign some free agents such as Eddie house, keyon doolings, carlos arroyo for back up point up as well as use the second round pick for point guard!

In my opinion, Boris Diaw's deal can be very benefit to raps since Diaw can create more space for other big man and with is variety skills, he is very benefits to raps and Diaw is not playing after Oneal and Amare both at the court~

Also, raptors can retain Brezec as a back up or even starter if Nestrovic really leave. Brezec has the skill and potential start in the league but not that much mins!

[Pat]

Also, Udonis Halsem is another option for Raps since Heats need a point and raps need the toughness even Udonis is not true big man but with the pace of raps's play, it is very good option for raps as well!

[Kevin]

I like the concept but I don't like the player. O'Neal does not strike me as being a big impact player anymore. For a one year contract I might be interested. For two years I think they should look at throwing that kind of money at a younger guy.

Diaw: is he ready to play every night? He didn't seem to be in Phoenix, why would he play with more passion here?

[Jimmy]

I think this trade would be a great move for the raps. JO is a defensive stalwart, a good rebounder and a low post scoring machine. And even if things don't work out, his huge salary will be off the books when Wade and Bron are free agents. The only downside is the injury history with him, but the same could be said for Ford.

[Brad]

hey Doug, if this deal goes through, do you expect it to happen on draft day or even at the draft, or sooner?

Blogger's note: I can't see it becoming official until July 1, if it happens, because that's when TJ's base-year compensation situation expires

[Ryan Jones]

This is how teams get into deep trouble. They get caught up with an extremely talented player who's on the decline. Albeit he has only two years left, but JO's contract is just flat out SCARY!

I would much prefer a straight up sign and trade with Corey Maggette or for Boris Diaw. And keep the pick and take a shot at Robin Lopez or Donte Green if they are still on the board. To me this sounds better, with much more upside.

Let's face it, the future of the Raps depends on the development of Bargnani. Lets not make this worse with a bad contract.