O'Neal nearing trade to Toronto for Ford - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsU_2XrFiovt.io1IuzC4nS8vLYF?slug=aw-jermaineonealtraded062508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

NEW YORK – After on-and-off again negotiations, the Indiana Pacers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/ind/;_ylt=AhoqYUguJoEP1F_Yym.vMFjTjdIF) have agreed in principle to send six-time All-Star Jermaine O’Neal (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3120;_ylt=Atf0yr7_uJf911AuOgbItCvTjdIF) to the Toronto Raptors (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/tor/;_ylt=Am3rN3vWhhOGr27WA_qCvCLTjdIF) for point guard T.J. Ford (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3711/;_ylt=AtyVXqKIz_SzNC0YIEq9RFLTjdIF) and the 17th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, a league executive said Wednesday.

After nearly completing the deal earlier in the week, Pacers and Raptors officials needed to exchange more medical information on O’Neal’s left knee and Ford’s neck before finding a comfort level with the trade. It is believed both sides now are comfortable making the deal, though the trade won’t be complete until both O’Neal and Ford pass their physicals.
Toronto also will send Rasho Nesterovic (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3260/;_ylt=AiXuz3I_YyzR7sCP9ZETh1vTjdIF) and another role player to match up with O’Neal’s salary. O’Neal is owed $44 million over the next two seasons. He played just 42 games for Indiana a year ago with a left knee injury. O’Neal has expressed a desire to leave the Pacers for a contender.

Ford, who has a history of neck injuries, became expendable when Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo decided that he wanted to make Jose Calderon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3989/;_ylt=AsxWKbB9t2Wgs1Jf1MRI6tPTjdIF) the franchise’s future at point guard.


Fantastic deal for the Raps IMO. Only thing that screws this up is if he can't stay healthy.

If he can turn back the clock to when he was All-NBA this will be a huge steal for the Raptors.

No-brainer for the Raptors. And if the Pacers can get rid of Tinsley or at least relegate him to the bench with the acquisition of Ford, then it looks like Indiana will get the opportunity for a fresh start of sorts.

If this deal gets done, there will only be three Pacers from the 2005 brawl roster still there:
Jamaal Tinsley, Jeff Foster, and David Harrison

Great deal for both teams. Indy gets a quality young pg and a serviceable center in place of an overpaid unhappy superstar destined to bolt in 2 years. Raptors get a superstar coming off an injury trying to prove himself with 2 years left on his contract. 2 solid years by Jermaine for Toronto more than justifies the trade. They also replace the stiff at center and can start shopping the biggest international bust this century.

Bosh and O'Neal down low? Wow!

Bosh and O'Neal down low? Wow!

Yeah, but they play the same position and will there be any problems? ie. Both guys are used to being the man for their respective teams. Any clash?

But still, nice deal for Raps. Pacers should just blow it up.

Pacers should just blow it up.
I think they just did.

Yeah, but they play the same position and will there be any problems? ie. Both guys are used to being the man for their respective teams. Any clash?

But still, nice deal for Raps. Pacers should just blow it up.

They both like the opposite block, but JO doesn't like to play center, and Bosh isn't good at it either.

JO is a center the way Dale Davis was a center. Davis played PF all of his career.

We're seeing an interesting consolidation of talent on a few teams in the East.

Great move for the Raps.

Next they send Bargnani and Graham to Sacramento for Artest.

Works under the CBA.

Great move for the Raps.

Next they send Bargnani and Graham to Sacramento for Artest.

Works under the CBA.
Is Bargnani a better player than Darko? He's a different player, but is he really better?

Yes, the only problem with Andrea is his confidence level.

Last 4 years...O'Neil = Ben Wallace.

Same career slide taking place. Who will hold down the 5 for Toronto. Not O'Neil....Good luck Raptors with this swap.

Last 4 years...O'Neil = Ben Wallace.

Same career slide taking place. Who will hold down the 5 for Toronto. Not O'Neil....Good luck Raptors with this swap.
Raptors clearly looked at Calderon as their #1 PG. They couldn't have two starters on the team, so they dealt him. If O'Neal works out - all for the better. If he doesn't, well, then he'll come off the books in a couple of years and it is still better than having a malcontent on the team vying for playing time.

Indiana just picked up Jarret JAck and brandon rush in a trade with portland.