Raptors Trying To Deal Jermaine O'Neal?

[Clueminati017]

The Raptors are still struggling and Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo is looking to shake things up.

Colangelo is reportedly trying to trade Jermaine O'Neal, having spoken with at least a half dozen teams about the big man.

The Raptors acquired O'Neal in a trade with the Pacers this past July. Scouts claim that he lacks any lift in his legs.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... eal_oneal/

Some said he wasn't amounting to anything in Toronto, and if this is the way try to keep Bosh just to find a better quality big man. Colangelo better make a real good trade.

[Skills]

It's a sure possibility, considering Bargnani's been playing great. But I'm pretty sure that article is bogus. RealGM isn't always that credible. Plus, JO's been doing what he's been expected of doing. Though he's certainly past his prime, he still has some fuel in the tank. Plus, his contract runs out in 2009 or 2010, which gives Toronto a ton of extra money to re-sign Bosh and sign another legit star.

[Andrew]

Well, RealGM merely posts articles sourced from newspapers and the like so it's the credibility of the original source that should be questioned rather than RealGM. In any case, it's not all that surprising given the Raptors' struggles but it would be an abrupt end to the Bosh/O'Neal experiment which might go down as a combination that worked out a lot better in video games than in real life. It doesn't help that O'Neal hasn't been able to stay on the court, that has to be making him very difficult to move if the reports are true.

[hova-]

I find it tough to see JO going down like that. It's just his body which kind of deserts him. Still I think hes better than many centers around the league. And with his trade value being down big this season (after his performance so far) I think that you would not get something useful in return. Im still disappointed with how Bargagni is underachieving. I hope this guy does not turn out to be a huge bust.

Btw I took a look at the 2006 draft and its really nice to see how it is a draft of steals. Id say 5 of the top 7 picks are not playing well so far in this league.
Aldridge at number 2 and Roy at number 6. Rondo was a nice steal with the 21st pick.

And the 2nd round has guys like boobie Gibson, Leon Powe and Paul Millsap.

I love how thing turn out two years after a draft.

[Andrew]

Those guys would probably be the top six (or at least all round out the top ten) if the Draft were held again today. Paxson would probably love to take back the Aldridge/Thomas swap as well.

I agree it's unfortunate to see Jermaine O'Neal struggle with injuries, he's only a few years removed from being an All-Star and one of the better big men in the league. That said, I'm kind of glad that the Bulls didn't trade for him when those rumours were circling, as much as they need a post presence O'Neal hasn't been the player they'd have wanted him to be - or the Raptors would currently like him to be - the last couple of seasons. If he can get healthy and stay healthy though, I'd say he's still capable of being that player but he hasn't had much luck staying injury free of late.

Trading him might be a little easier than one would think though. Apart from the upside of him being a top big man when he's healthy, his contract runs out in 2010 and clears around $22 million off the books, which could potentially raise his trade value with so many teams already looking ahead to that summer. By trading for him, a team could clear some cap space and still have a shot at keeping him, even if they splash out on someone else. Miss out on LeBron and co and you've still got a shot at re-signing him (hopefully to a smaller deal), which could be a bargain if he's healthy by then.

[Its_asdf]

Jermaine O'Neal always seems to play himself back into shape only to have him succumb to an injury. I don't think his more recent injury is that bad (something like the flu or something) so at least his body is intact.

[Kenny]

I don't think they have to trade him while Bargnani is playing as well as he is. They should atleast give him this season.

[Andrew]

I don't think it would harm them too much if they waited the season either but with Bosh's impending free agency next year I guess they're wary of a "wait-and-see" approach in case it sends the wrong message (ie that they're not actively trying to improve the roster and shake things up) so they're trying to show a commitment to making things happen and getting back on track.

[ThaLiveKing]

Bargnani and parker, word is they are going to Dallas for Howard, Diop and Wright

[Andrew]

I don't know if I make that deal if I'm the Mavericks. Howard's had a couple of off-court issues and his image has taken a bit of a hit due to a lack of media savvy but I wouldn't be in a rush to trade him, at least not for Bargnani and Parker.

[Clueminati017]

If Cuban makes a deal like that. He might as well hit the panic button just like Danny Ainge did on bringing in both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen if he doesn't pull the Isaiah Thomas on everybody. Face it... He's pretty much pissed letting go of Steve Nash and now Devin Harris.

[Andrew]

"I'm out of my mind!"

At least with the Jason Kidd deal, he was taking a chance on someone who was/is still a big name despite being on the downside of their career. At this point, I doubt Bargnani or Parker can step up and compliment Dirk Nowitzki as well as Howard is capable of doing.

[Kenny]

To me when I saw those three names for Bargnani and Parker I thought "wouldn't they be trading Bargnani and Parker just for Howard?".

[Andrew]

That's a good point, the five player deal doesn't work under the cap. Howard for Bargnani and Parker would work though.