http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aszu4LUJ.CE0Y6ElwIu.4uw5nYcB?slug=aw-jermaineonealtraded062508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

After on-and-off again negotiations, the Indiana Pacers have agreed in principle to send six-time All-Star Jermaine O’Neal to the Toronto Raptors for point guard T.J. Ford 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 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 the franchise’s future at point guard.

Ford was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition that narrows the openings the spinal cord runs through. He missed the 2004-05 season with the Bucks following neck surgery, and missed 13 games with a neck injury last season after Atlanta’s Al Horford leveled him on a breakaway layup. Ford has $25 million and two years left on his contract. Indiana had been searching for a point guard and Ford takes the job now.

Calderon is a restricted free agent, and Colangelo has insisted that he’ll match any offer for him. Clearly, the Raptors will belong to him now.

The Pacers would now hold the 11th and 17th picks in the draft.

Well there soes all the rumors that we might get rid of Curry.

Posted by izybx:

Well there goes all the rumors that we might get rid of Curry.

I know. But apparently we were waaaaay off because they got a lot more value for Ford than what Curry offers (As long as O'neal can play.)

oohah

i have a feeling if Isiah were still GM we'd have traded our #6 & Marbs' expiring for JO... thank goodness for small victories i guess.

i think this is a pretty fair deal for both sides tho... Ford comes w/issues of his own & his contract runs longterm... a #17 pick is not that big a deal to give up for someone of JO's ability.

Smh....

also looks like tinsley's time in indy is done as well...

Posted by djsunyc:

also looks like tinsley's time in indy is done as well...

Tinsley, welcome to the Knicks! We've been waiting for you.

oohah

It's a wrap Dunny.

I knew he could land there I called this a while ago.

Just saw this--wow if Toronto can stay healthy--it will be rough matching up down low with them.

Colangelo saw what happened in the finals--meaning the roughhouse basketball and changed his style in one trade.

You better have some dogs down low or you will be winning 25-30 finesse was in and now its out.

I think Indiana did great in this trade. Ford, Nesterovic, and the 17th pick is huge for O'Neal. Bird needed to get rid of O'Neal and still got alot for him. There will be alot of good players available to Indiana at 17.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Just saw this--wow if Toronto can stay healthy--it will be rough matching up down low with them.

Colangelo saw what happened in the finals--meaning the roughhouse basketball and changed his style in one trade.

You better have some dogs down low or you will be winning 25-30 finesse was in and now its out.

yeah, he basically changed the identity of the team with this deal. hopefully hump + bargs can play well enough to allow o'neal to average 25-30 mins a game during the season.