The Official Site of Jermaine O'Neal

Updates

Fri, Jun 27th 2008, 11:51

Pacers agree in principle to send Jermaine to Toronto

The Pacers have agreed in principle to a deal that will send Jermaine O’Neal to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for point guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the rights to Roy Hibbert who was the 17th pick in the draft. The trade gives Jermaine a fresh start and pairs him up with another all-star forward, Chris Bosh.

“I think playing alongside Chris Bosh gives us a different dynamic,” Jermaine said. “You look at teams in the NBA, you look at their low-post players, and they always have one good player, and when that good player goes out, you can change your defense a little bit and load up on other areas. Even with us starting out the games together, one of us will always be on the floor. You won’t get a chance to adjust your defense.”

With Toronto management vowing to keep restricted free agent point guard Jose Calderon with the club, Jermaine is confident that the Raptors have what it takes to compete for a championship.

“You’re talking about a team that’s extremely athletic, extremely big at the wing positions, and they play defense,” O’Neal said. “With my defensive mentality and ability to change the game and Chris’ ability to block shots and change the game — it’s exciting.”

Because of NBA salary cap rules, the trade cannot be finalized until July 9, after the league’s mandatory moratorium period ends and Ford’s base-year compensation tag expires. Until that time the Pacers nor the Raptors organizations can comment on the deal. Jermaine, however, is permitted to discuss the deal and thought that Larry Bird pulled off a trade that will benefit both teams.

“He wanted to get me to a place where I could contend and do what I’m capable of doing,” Jermaine said. “We both agreed that the timing was perfect. His focus on getting them to a level where they can grow and start to be competitive was tremendous.”

“I feel they will be a very good team down the road, or in the near future with coach O’Brien’s ability to coach.”

Assuming the deal goes through as expected, the Raptors will be Jermaine’s third NBA team.


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Comments

Ravi | on 23/7/08

Raps stuggled against dwight howard and the magic..with JO and Bosh down low.. howard wont even have a chance :D Raptors right now have the best front court in the nba.. we guna take home a championship :)

DAVID | on 15/7/08

GOOD LUCK WIT THE SEAON BRO! I’M JUST AS EXCITED AS YOU ARE, HAVE AN ALL STAR SEASON!

Asmir | on 11/7/08

Hey Jermaine i just want to say that this will be a huge season for you,Raptors and all of your fans…I think this year we can go to the end….Best wishes and luck…....

Asmir

jared | on 9/7/08

i wish u luck in toronto

jared

jared | on 9/7/08

hey jermaine ill miss you in indiana and i really think you were worth more than what we got but it all right i guess but well miss you in indy but i wish you luck in toronto and thinks for what you have done for us in indy later jo well miss u a lot

jared

Jess | on 9/7/08

I am so excited that you will be in a Raps uni next season. This is going to to be amazing with you and CB on the floor together. And as a HUGE Raps fan the stuff that you bring to the team defensively will help this team so much. Welcome to Canada, and I hope that we will have many more years together. You will soon see how passionate the Raps fans are for our team. Cant wait until the season starts.

Omar Dirie | on 3/7/08

hey sup

Omar Dirie | on 2/7/08

Hey jermaine o’neal
are you looking forward to coming to toronto
the first day i heard that you were coming to toronto i got soo happy
because with you and cb4 at low post you both will be able to stop the other dominant PF or C.
i think this will help chris bosh and da raptors to 50 or 60 plus season
wish you the best in Toronto
your gonna have fun from omar

Brand | on 29/6/08

what are your thoughts about playing for Toronto Jermaine?

sammy seede | on 29/6/08

looking forward to seeing you in Toronto. You now have a whole country backing you up.

Fred Orti | on 29/6/08

Yo Jermaine, can’t wait to see ya in Raps Jersey. You and CB4 up front gonna be sick, along with the best 3pt shooters in the league, a high flying freak (Jamario Moon) and Jose Calderon running the floor (he’s a pass first PG, you’ll get lots of open looks). Our new big 3 – CB4 + JO + JC. Let’s do what Celtics did last year. 60+ wins is possible.