Swapping Jermaine O'Neal for TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic's expiring deal, and a Toronto draft pick seems like a reasonable move for Indiana and an excellent pickup for the Raptors. Toronto was overstocked with Ford and Calderon at the point so even though Ford's a good player they're not, in practice, giving very much up. And O'Neal should help add some frontcourt toughness and defense and create a situation where they don't feel compelled to give many minutes to Bargnani.
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Good Deals
26 Jun 2008 05:14 pm
Comments (30)
Ah, but what about Richard Jefferson for Chairman Yi and Bobby Simmons?
Since the Nets are in full tank mode, it's not a bad move, Al. I'm not sold on Chairman Yi, but his ceiling is higher than RJ's.
If the Knicks can get OJ Mayo, though, they could pull even in the LeBron sweepstakes. Especially if that whole Brooklyn thing keeps not happening.
Very good move for both teams. Although I disagree with Matt about Bargnani. He had an fine rookie season, but regressed a bit last year. He'll still get considerable minutes, which he needs to for Toronto to be one of the top 3 teams in the East. No reason to give up on him yet.
The Knicks aren't getting Mayo - he'll be picked 3rd or 4th. Actually I wonder if this isn't better for the whole LeBron situation. If LeBron is looking to market himself in China, this would be a huge benefit - every Yi game would probably be on TV in China. This also gets the Nets $10,000,000 more under the cap in 2010, since Simmons comes off the books in 2010 (while RJ would have another year to go at $15,000,000). BTW, the Supreme Court turned down the arena opponents' appeal, which gets Ratner a bit closer to breaking ground...
However, the Nets are going to be terrible this year.
"Since the Nets are in full tank mode"
No sleep 'til Brooklyn.
Maybe they can swap Vince for Adam Morrison while they're at it.
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I heart Beasley. What are the chances he breaks out a "David Stern, tell me how my ass tastes," freestyle tonight?
"Ah, but what about Richard Jefferson for Chairman Yi and Bobby Simmons?"
Bad news for Cleveland. I'd been waiting for Milwaukee to ship Redd to Cleveland, which would make the Cavs a serious team.
But now that Milwaukee could actually be good, I'd guess rebuilding is off the table.
These other teams are only going to be able to get LBJ if they can build a strong team without him which he can step into to lead to a title, unless the Cavs completely fall apart. He isn't going to leave to go to a hopeless situation just to become more marketable (impossible). If Cleveland can turn all of their expiring contracts over the next two years into a couple high quality players, it's hard to see LBJ leaving unless there is just an amazing situation. A team similar to the Pistons of the last 5 years, who are deep and have a lot of talented players but don't have that alpha dog.
I'm not sold on Chairman Yi, but his ceiling is higher than RJ's.
Really? This seems like a bad deal for the Nets to me. I'd have expected them to get more for RJ.
Also, I agree with lvf: LBJ isn't leaving the Cavs for anything but a mortal lock, and maybe not even then. Neither the Knicks nor the Nets have a shot.
"I'd have expected them to get more for RJ."
Very limited trade value. Mildly lousy contract for what he brings.
This is all about cap space in '10. They at least got that.
"Also, I agree with lvf: LBJ isn't leaving the Cavs for anything but a mortal lock, and maybe not even then. Neither the Knicks nor the Nets have a shot."
Y'know, LeBron has immense financial motivation to move to NYC.
I have no idea what he'll end up doing, but one shouldn't ignore the money. LeBron's player contract is not his major income source.
Al, word is the Knicks want to trade up for Mayo. Just read it on TrueHoop, not sure of how reliable that is.
I believe we've now entered the era where every single NBA move will be first analyzed in terms of how it impacts LBJ's 2010 summer plans.
Just imagine how much more money LeBron would spend living in NYC, though.
I really hope the Cavs get it together, or LeBron goes to a team that will allow him to fulfill his destiny. Dude's in his prime, right now. He needs to play on a real team.
"Dude's in his prime, right now."
The scary thing, of course, is that he's not in his prime right now.
He may easily be the most valuable player in the league at the moment, but he's still only 23.
Y'know, LeBron has immense financial motivation to move to NYC.
Color me skeptical. If you're as supernaturally talented as LBJ, I don't know that location makes all that big a difference. The Chicago metropolitan area is less than half the size of the NY metropolitan area, and I don't think Jordan left a lot of money on the table. Even now, according to True Hoop, something like 50% of the basketball shoes sold are sold under the Jordan impress.
I don't know that LeBron is at his absolute peak, per se, but he's definitely in his prime.
He's good enough that you could put him on any team in the league, even the Knicks, and they'd be at least as good as the Cavs are.
"If you're as supernaturally talented as LBJ, I don't know that location makes all that big a difference."
You say MJ, I say Shaquille and Kareem...
I believe we've now entered the era where every single NBA move will be first analyzed in terms of how it impacts LBJ's 2010 summer plans.
Sure. Wade and 'Melo as well.
But now that Milwaukee could actually be good, I'd guess rebuilding is off the table.
Milwaukee, Toronto, Chicago and Miami (assuming nothing crazy tonight for the last two) are all suddenly looking solid for next year. Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Orlando should continue to improve. The East may bounce back faster than expected.
Milwaukee, Toronto, Chicago and Miami (assuming nothing crazy tonight for the last two) are all suddenly looking solid for next year
A young team plus Vinny Del Negro in his coaching job ever? Chicago's going to suck. I think he was hired to be fired: cheap and nobody will miss him.
Jermaine O'Neil has been in the league for 10 years and has a bum knee that hyper-extends when he jumps. He's also got a $19 million contract. I don't see this as such a great pick up for the Raptors.
Who does Miami pick tonight?
I really think Michael Beasley is gonna be a dominant force in this league someday, and I absolutely don't see what Rose brings to the table that, say, Mike Conley doesn't. I'm just sick at the decisions my team is making, just sick.
gay-love in memphis!
"Color me skeptical. If you're as supernaturally talented as LBJ, I don't know that location makes all that big a difference."
There's a well-known clause in LeBron's Nike contract that ups his $$$$ if he plays in LA or NY. It's significant.
Assuming Oden is healthy and will stay that way, Portland is going to be the best team in the league within 2-3 years. I can't remember when a team had this much young talent. Next year, they get the best non-James prospect of this generation, and they just stole two lottery picks.
O'Neal and the words 'front court toughness' do not belong in the same sentence.
There's a well-known clause in LeBron's Nike contract that ups his $$$$ if he plays in LA or NY. It's significant.
Posted by montefiore | June 26, 2008 11:28 PM
It's hardly well known. AFAIK, it's just a rumor with no concrete evidence. And reports are that the money is NOT significant compared to the total contract.
Also, his Nike contract expires in 2010, so any clause is irrelevant. Now, Nike may tell him that he will get more money if he goes to LA or NY. But that's a different issue and is far from assured.
And to add: LBJ is not in his prime yet, despite being easily the best player in the Association. He's got a 2 or 3 more years before he enters what are generally the most productive years for NBA players.
I can't imagine Lebron having more exposure. Making the playoffs and being immensely talented is enough for the kid. When R-Jeff made the finals it didn't do him any good. Being in a big media market helps, but it's not the end all be all. The only way he'd be better off would be going to LA. He could take them to the Finals and grab a ring. Doesn't Kobe's contract expire in 2010?
Toronto should be looking to deal Bargs post-haste. Wrong draft to pull the top pick.
Comments closed July 10, 2008.
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Heads in the Sand
I wonder. Offensively, at least, O'Neal sounds like an older, less-good version of Chris Bosh. Sure, if O'Neal is willing to play center and concentrate on D and rebounding and let Bosh be The Man on offense, the trade will be great. But based on what I know of O'Neal, I don't think that's very likely.
Posted by too many steves | June 26, 2008 5:30 PM