Jermaine O'Neal Traded to the Raptors

This definitely alters who the Pacers are projected to pick tomorrow...right?

I would think so - They have to pick Kevin or Lopez if they are on the board. Wouldn't be suprised if Bush gets picked by Bird

what about jamaal tinsley? are you really going to pay $8m to a back up?

Tisley will be traded ASAP!

As per Bird, Tinsley and Shawne Williams are both on "thin ice". Both are likely getting the axe soon. i am sure, they have certain trade packages available for them to get a big forward to replace the departure of O'neal...

If O'Neal is healthy, this move puts Toronto to the top of the East underneath Boston of course.... but pretty much even with Detroit. If Detroit somehow gets Baron Davis while keeping there core in tact then they'll keep their edge.

If detroit does get Baron then cleary, the core will not stay intact. I'm a pistons fan and it will be hard to see them break up but I think even with Baron, the Pistons may be dropping in the East. Toronto will defenitly be a force in the East with O'Neal, if he is healthy that is.

Raptors would be good but they have a few issues at the shooting guard spot. I would rate Boston at the top and the rest even at this point. Expect lots of movement tonight. I am live blogging the draft all night (http://www.stadiumavenue.com)

Yeah I agree with the Boston pick though I don't want to but there's really one team in the east that's "complete". Detroit is really the only team that can give them a run, but I don't even know if that will be the truth next season. I think o'neal would bring toughness to a team thats kind of lacking it to which may make up some for the weakness at shooting guard.

so pacers are not going to pick a pg in the draft if that is so that would be cool so the blazers get a pg

they dont need a pg they have tj ford

Blazers are looking at DJ Augustin but the Clippers could snatch him up if they can't do a sign and trade for Maggette tonight.

Do the blazers really need him with Roy leading the way. And I think Augustins a little small.

Considering they had Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack running the point last year I think they need an upgrade at that position. DJ is small but the trailblazers are a big team
Roy 6'5
Outlaw-Webster 6'9(6'7)
Alridge 6'11
Oden (7'1)

So I think they can be okay with D.J small size as long as he can collapse the defense. Yet they will have to hop over the Sacramento Kings at 12 in order to get him.

I agree with your assessment - Augustin is probably the best player the Blazers can hope for at this point, unless they make some trades to move up (5 picks in this year's draft suggest they're up to something). To respond to tnlf11, Roy is a SG, not a PG. So an Augustin-Roy backcourt would work out very nicely

I heard today that the raptors added center Rasho Nesterovic to the Pacers.

Yeah he was part of the deal as was Maceo Baston (Former Michigan Wolverine) and the 41st pick.

Yes, he's overpaid and his contract is up next year. I think this trade works out well for both teams.
Pacers get cap relief soon, a decent player, and a nice draft pick
Raptors get a guy like Jermaine, who, if healthy, gives them one of the best frontcourts in the NBA while allowing Jose Calderon to star.

I think the Pacers get the better end of the deal, but this could be a win-win for everyone

He is Def overpaid and his body is breaking down after 11 years in the league. He will be 30 this year and his skills are starting to head downhill. The Pacers get cap room and a point guard that can play in the new uptempo style indiana is using. All of that requires that he not take body checks in the lane and land on his head.

Did you guys see the latest report saying that the Pacers are denying this trade happened?

Where did you read that?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AirGmQ7aiKwBDDVP3R3Rl0M5nYcB?slug=ap-raptors-pacerstrade&prov=ap&type=lgns

Well they can't announce anything until July because Ford is a in BYC. So there is truth to the speculation.

this is all coming from Yahoo Sports

now they just retracted that report and changed it to O'neal has confirmed that the pacers are sending him to Toronto

J O'Neal the trade is kind of suspect, 2 power forwards, I guess if Andre B plays small forward then maybe.

O'neal will play Center

2 PF dosen't make sense J O'neal a C or he supposed to come off the bench cuz chris aint gonna come off the bench ya dig

Oneal - C
Bosh - PF
Delfino/Moon - SF
Parker - SG
Calderon - PG

Seems like a nice lineup but I think that is still middle of the pack come October

If O'neal plays center, history will repeat and he will be injured making him a liability for the Raptors. Good riddance by the Pacers!!!!!!!!!! Now get rid of Jamaal Tinsley!!!!!!