A Healthy Jermaine O'Neal Makes Toronto Raptors Winners In This Deal
By RaptorTalkThe Jermaine O'Neal acquisition comes down to the health of JO's knee. If he can play an average of 70 games over the next two years, then the Raptors come out of this as big winners, particularly if he's healthy come playoff time.
On the other hand, even if Jermaine's knees hold him back to 50 games or less per year, the Raptors still do not fare badly because O'Neal's massive contract comes off the books in two years.
So while this is a high risk/high reward acquisition - Bryan has not locked himself into say a long 4 year deal with little or no wiggle room. If Jermaine doesn't work out as hoped, then his expiring contract can be peddled as early as next season.
Jermaine O'Neal presumably checking out his now healthy knees
This morning, the Toronto Sun discussed JO's injuries and the prospect of his return. O'Neal believes his knee is healed and he can return to 20/10 status.
"Knee problems have kept O'Neal to an average of 51 games a year for the past four seasons while Ford's spinal stenosis condition limited him to just 51 games last season.
In O'Neal, the Raptors pick up another potential franchise player to pair with Chris Bosh, assuming O'Neal's knee problems are a thing of the past.
O'Neal, who is working out this summer in Las Vegas, seems to be of that belief.
In a post-2008 season interview with Slam's Michael Tillery in April, O'Neal addressed his knee problems specifically.
"Now my knee is healed," O'Neal said. "It's the best my knee has felt in two years. It's all about getting my cardio and my rhythm back, trying to be effective and learning how to punish guys all over again in the low post."
In the interview O'Neal said the 21/2-month layoff last year helped him not just physically but has motivated him to get back to the 20-10 guy he was before his knee problems.
"I'm taking it all back to the drawing stage," he said. "I've put together a great staff that's going to put my honour all back together. I'm not far from it. The knee is just about 100% strength. The healing part is already done. I'm really excited and very much looking forward to getting back on the court next year."
O'Neal has two years and about $44 million US left on his deal. When his salary does come off the books, it's going to free up plenty of money for the Raptors at a time when the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Bosh can become free agents."
The Deal is Risk for Risk
Bottomline is that the Raptors dealt away some injury risk and received back some injury risk. Based on the potential trade options available, this was the best acquisition by a mile. I would have liked Rip, but there is no way Detroit needs TJ, when they have Billups and Stuckey.
However, I would take Jermaine O'Neal above Boris Diaw or Webster/Frye or any of the other legit offers on the table. A healthy Jermaine O'Neal in the middle changes the whole complexion of the Raptors from a defensive perspective. It takes pressure off Bosh and moves him into the PF position. Bargnani benefits by now coming off the bench.
For the record, Jermaine O'Neal will be turning 30 during training camp. No doubt, Raps' rebounding improves with JO in the mix. When healthy, he's a 10 board per game player who can add a couple of blocks each game. He's 6'11" and 260 lbs, which is by no means undersized for NBA centers. While his offensive numbers percentages could be better, that's not his primary role in Toronto. As the Celtics proved - its all about playing tough defence, baby!
Don't for a minute think that this is the end of the dealing. I expect another shoe (or two) to drop in the next few weeks. Bryan will address the need for an upgrade on the wing.
JVG Likes it!
Jeff Van Gundy told ESPN that he believes this deal vaults the Raptors into becoming the third best team in the East behind Boston and Detroit.
Right now, I give this deal a 7.5 out of 10. If JO is injured, its a 6 out of 10. If JO remains healthy, it becomes a 9 out of 10.
At this juncture, we need to wait and see how it all plays out.
AGREE WITH IT. THE RAPS WILL WIN THE DEAL IF J.O STAYS HEALTHY. IF HE CAN PLAY 60+ WITH 17-9 AVG, HIM AND BOSH COULD REALLY MAKE THE RAPS SOLID CONTENDERS. THIS DEAL ALSO TAKES PRESSURE OF BOTH O'NEIL AND BOSH, WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY PREVENT SERIOUS INJURIES. ONE MORE THING, FROM HIS COMMENTS, IT SEEMS J.O IS REALLY EXITED AND MOTIVATED TO PLAY WITH RAPS, THIS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE EARLY RETURNS IF INJURED. CANT WAIT TILL NEXT SEASON STARTS!
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