Posted by islesfan:

The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors have held discussions about a possible trade involving Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford, according to reports in the Indianapolis Star and the Toronto Star.

The Raptors -- eager to move an unhappy Ford and make Jose Calderon their starting point guard -- also would include center Rasho Nesterovic and possibly their first-round pick in Thursday's draft, both newspapers reported.

One sticking point might be O'Neal's health. He played in 42 games last season because of a left knee injury, though Pacers officials said recently that O'Neal is healthy, according to the Indianapolis star.

O'Neal, a six-time All-Star, averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds a game last season, and is currently working out in Las Vegas.

The six-time All-Star is spending the summer working out in Las Vegas.

A second issue might be the financial burden O'Neal poses. He is set to make $21 million this season, and $23 million in 2009-10.

Multiple reports surfaced this past weekend about a possible trade that would have the Raptors sending Ford and their first-rounder (No. 17 overall) to the Phoenix Suns for forward Boris Diaw.

Posted by purple012870:

Then can we scoop up Tinsley. I know his contract is not appetizing, but we have more than our share of unappetizing contracts to deal.

Posted by djsunyc:

helps the raps. doesn't tie them up long term, gives them a sizeable expiring next year, and more importantly, gives them a big that can play center, rebound and defend to help out bosh. but after this deal, raps would have no other assets to improve their team this summer. they would have about $40 mil of their cap tied up with bosh/o'neal/jose.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 06-23-2008 12:58 PM]

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by djsunyc:

helps the raps. doesn't tie them up long term, gives them a sizeable expiring next year, and more importantly, gives them a big that can play center, rebound and defend to help out bosh. but after this deal, raps would have no other assets to improve their team this summer. they would have about $40 mil of their cap tied up with bosh/o'neal/jose.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 06-23-2008 12:58 PM]

That's what the Jamrio Moons, Anthony Parkers of the world are for. JC is known to get bargain players to play for his team. Plus he has the MLE and LLE to work with along with Kapono and possibly Bargs.

He needs to demand the Pacers second round draft pick and start buying other picks in the draft with cash.

to get to jermaine's $23 mil, they would have to trade tj + parker + rasho. pushing the limits of the salary tax, they won't be really able to used the MLE on a big time impact guy.

Posted by djsunyc:

if bosh is talking about it...then this rumor has legs.

wouldn't be surprised if indiana leaked it just to gauge the approval rating of it.

Posted by djsunyc:

if raps can make this deal and convince jr smith to go there for the MLE, then colangelo would have to get an A+ for the summer. not sure if jr smith is his type of player tho (off the court).

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by djsunyc:

at times they could put a bargs/bosh/o'neal frontline out there. that's some crazy matchup problems there.

The Raps play-by-play man along with Hollinger said Bargs needs to park it on the bench and come off of it. They both sounded like Bargs better get it together. I think he'll be used to play off of Bosh and O'neal instead of with them both but you never know, this is a game of matchups.