Sources: Pacers agree to O'Neal-for-Ford swap with Raptors

[eathb]

ESPN

On the eve of the NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers finally agreed to a trade.

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that the Pacers and the Raptors have agreed to a deal that, pending physicals, would send Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto in exchange for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the No. 17 pick in tomorrow's NBA draft.

O'Neal had surgery last April to repair torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee. He came back to start this season but occasionally played through swelling and pain. Before the Pacers announced his most recent injury, O'Neal said the knee hadn't fully healed from the procedure.
O'Neal played in only 42 games last year and at one point missed 33 straight games before returning to the lineup on March 31. He had his worst season with the Pacers since 2000-01 as he averaged 13.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg after averaging 19.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg in 2006-07. Team officials recently told the Indianapolis Star that O'Neal, a five-time All-Star, and his knee are healthy.

He was the star of the Pacers' team in 2003-04 that won 61 games and reached the Eastern Conference finals. But he was also involved in the Pacers-Pistons brawl at the Palace at Auburn Hills in 2004 that caused a meltdown of the Pacers that season and put the team in a funk from which it hasn't recovered. Since that 61-win season, the Pacers have missed the playoffs the last two years and haven't won more than 44 games in a season.

Ford has a history of neck injuries that began his rookie year. He collided with Minnesota's Mark Madsen on a drive to the basket on Feb. 24, 2004 and had to be carted off the court on a stretcher after injuring his tailbone. Ford missed the entire 2004-05 season and his backup, Mo Williams, emerged as a possible candidate for the starting job. Ford played in 72 games for Milwaukee in 2005-06 season as the Bucks made the playoffs, but he was traded to Toronto after the season for the Bucks' Charlie Villanueva and cash.

In his first season with Toronto, Ford played in 75 games, averaging a career-high 14.0 ppg and 7.9 apg as the Raptors won the Atlantic Division for the first time in team history. Last season, Ford missed 13 games with a neck injury after Atlanta's Al Horford knocked him to the ground on a breakaway layup. Throughout the season, backup Jose Calderon proved more than adequate and took advantage of Ford's injury to land the role as the Raptors' favored starter.

Nesterovic averaged 7.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg last year, but went from a regular starter for Toronto in his first year to a backup last year.

O'Neal is set to make $21 million this season and $23 million in 2009-10. Ford has $25 million and three years left on his contract.

The Pacers will now hold the 11th and 17th picks in Thursday night's draft while the Raptors will not have any selections.

new lineups:
Pacers
C - Foster
PF - Murphy
SF - Granger
SG - Dunleavy
PG - Ford


Raptors:
C - Jermaine O'Neal

PF - Bosh
SF - Moon
SG - Parker
PG - Calderon


The Pacers will continue to fall in the lottery. Raptors are improved in the East... but they're still a while to go to get to the level of the West Conferences and championship.


O'Neal + Bosh = O'Bosh!

 

[raffrox]

I reckon O'Neal is close to finished physically. Once you start having cartilage issues where you are injured all year I'd say there's no coming back (not that I'm an NBA player but thats my experience with such injuries).

Good trade by the Pacers for damaged goods.

 

[mdc]

For the first time in a long time, here's a deal that's a + for both sides.

The Raptors roll the dice on a player that, if healthy, gets them into the top 4 in the east.

Indiana saves on payroll, addresses a need, and gets younger.

 

[Hodges]

Indiana are actually taking on as much salary as they are offloading. Im not completely sold on this trade. Jose is the better PG of the two, so im glad he will be getting starter minutes. Not sure who will back him up though. If JO can stay healthy, we can make some waves in the East. Wont damage the West though, so I dont really see the point.

Oh well, he only has two years left on his contract. If it doesnt work we can always rebuild. Again.

 

[justthedukes]

Some big if's in this proposed trade though. As has been stated if O'Neal can stay healthy, Raptors turn into probally the third best team in the east, and take's alot of pressure of Bosh.

 

[wezza]

Really like it for the Raps.

Turned Charlie V into O'Neal.. not bad!

 

[Darealrath]

Some big if's in this proposed trade though. As has been stated if O'Neal can stay healthy, Raptors turn into probally the third best team in the east, and take's alot of pressure of Bosh.

If O'Neal is healthy they will be easily the 2nd best in the East IMO. Massive If though.

I'll miss him but I hope he does well. Puts his body on the line taking charges just about more than any player in the league and played injured many times instead of sooking like a lot of stars would. Was probably time for him to move on though.

I'm not a big fan of Ford but seeing we are getting rid of Tinsley he's a pretty good replacement. Means we can focus on big men in the draft which is our new need instead of trying to get a PG and a C.

 

[Darealrath]

For the first time in a long time, here's a deal that's a + for both sides.

The Raptors roll the dice on a player that, if healthy, gets them into the top 4 in the east.

Indiana saves on payroll, addresses a need, and gets younger.

I didn't realise Hollinger posted here?

 

[mdc]

I didn't realise Hollinger posted here?

I actually saw that not long after. I think you'll find mine came first though

Then again, it's no surprise me and Hollinger would agree. He's a sensible man.

 

[hamG]

JO and Bosh, if they are both firing that is a scary pair of big men ... guh how are the Hawks going to defend that.

 

[bradrowe#32]

If O'Neal is healthy they will be easily the 2nd best in the East IMO. Massive If though.

I'll miss him but I hope he does well. Puts his body on the line taking charges just about more than any player in the league and played injured many times instead of sooking like a lot of stars would. Was probably time for him to move on though.

I'm not a big fan of Ford but seeing we are getting rid of Tinsley he's a pretty good replacement. Means we can focus on big men in the draft which is our new need instead of trying to get a PG and a C.

Agree with all that.

What's the deal with Tinsley? I read that Bird said we have him on the table. Any offers around?

 

[Darealrath]

Agree with all that.

What's the deal with Tinsley? I read that Bird said we have him on the table. Any offers around?

Not that I've heard. Before the draft some were suggesting we might even have to trade down to get rid of him. He's bloody talented, could be a real steal for whoever gets him if he can somehow become focused.

We got a SG (well, once the trade is finalised) and a C in the draft...interesting.

 

[jerry springer]

good deal for the Raps if O'neal can actually get out on the court

 

[peternorth]

o'neal low post, bosh a bit higher up (he's a good shooter). nice combo, hope that jon can get fit.

 

[jerry springer]

o'neal low post, bosh a bit higher up (he's a good shooter). nice combo, hope that jon can get fit.

very dangerous,especially with their quality perimeter players.

 

[Karl Pilkington]

If JO stays healthy, and I mean genuinely healthy, the Raptors are now a contender. He doesn't have to worry about scoring anymore either - it's all D for Jermaine, and he is still one of the best inside defenders going around.

Like I said, IF he stays healthy, Toronto just got really dangerous.

 

[Hodges]

Ive been thinking about the trade for a little bit, and ive come around. Im a big fan of this trade now. We had two starting calibre points who were both going to demand it next season. One was always going to have to go.

So turning TJ into JON is a great move. Upgrades our front-court offense and especially defense. Finally gives us some interior D, someone to play on those bigger centres. Also will keep Bargers off them, where he always pick up cheap fouls. Plus this will also allow Bargnani to develop at a more comfortable pace, and gives him two great players to learn off.

Like Karl said, if JO can stay health, the Raps can make waves next season. A great point guard, 2 all-star forwards, dangerous 3pt shooters in Parker, Bargers and Kopono, and some good defense in Moon. Plus we get got Jawai in the trade. Looking forward to next season already.

 

[Biggie]

Massive if Oneal is indeed fit.

Bosh and Jermaine will tear it up fot Toronto.

Indiana though? Not sure they will go anywhere.

 

[bradrowe#32]

Massive if Oneal is indeed fit.

Bosh and Jermaine will tear it up fot Toronto.

Indiana though? Not sure they will go anywhere.

I'm getting used to that now.

This article sums up our trading/drafting for the 2000s; http://pacers.realgm.com/articles/138/20080626/the_desire_to_change/

 

[Stiffy_18]

I might be wrong here but I just get the feeling that the days of JO at the top of his game are well and truly over. He has been a disappointment in the last couple of seasons.

 

[Darealrath]

I'm getting used to that now.

This article sums up our trading/drafting for the 2000s; http://pacers.realgm.com/articles/138/20080626/the_desire_to_change/

I reckon we'll be a lot better than last season. I'm expecting playoffs, and our future looks promising with a young core of Granger, Dunleavy and Ford (and Williams if we keep him) + the picks Rush and Hibbert + some good role players in Foster, Murphy, Jack and Nesto and a lot of cap space to come in a couple years.

Ford/Jack
Dunleavy/Rush
Granger/Williams
Murphy/Foster
Hibbert/Nesto

^ is a pretty good Eastern Conference team.

 

[Borgsta]

I might be wrong here but I just get the feeling that the days of JO at the top of his game are well and truly over. He has been a disappointment in the last couple of seasons.

Thats the way I see it too. Can't see him ever regaining it, although I hope he does.

 

[Bomberz_pacers07]

like the deal for pacers. Jermaine was always injured and didnt really contribute the last 2 years. We have adjusted to playing without him and a good point guard in TJ Ford hopfully will improve our offense alot giving open looks to granger, dunleavy, rush etc.