Draw

The Pacers and the Raptors get together to make a deal, maybe some would say that it is a big deal, but none the less a deal that can't be consummated until July 9th. The deal has the Raptors getting Jermaine O'Neal and they give up TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the #17 pick from the 2008 draft. This is a deal that works out for everyone.

The Raptors get to solve their point guard issues by shipping out the worse of the two (not a jab at TJ Ford), they get rid of Rasho who was at best a 7 foot layup drill instructor, and the #17 pick which may be decent (we'll have to see who makes trades and who falls). They get to pay Calderon some big money, they get a post presence that may give the Raptors 3 point shooters better looks, and they free up Chris Bosh to get off like Amare has been able to do since the arrival of Shaq. They also get to pay O'Neal $44M over the next two years, with one of those being next year when they can either turn around and trade him (his expiring contract) or just let him play it out and they have $22M in cap space for 2010. We won't mention the #1 pick that will probably go to the bench because of this deal.

The Pacers get a good point guard in TJ Ford, but they will be holding their breathe every time he gets hit and goes to the floor hard. Even with his health questions, TJ is better than Jamal Tinsley. Now the hard part is finding a taker for Tinsley with all of his baggage. Nesterovic comes off the books (the deal may also include former Michigan star Maceo Baston) along with Baston next year. So the Pacers get some cap relief, and some improved play at the PG position which their team desperately needs. The Pacers get the #17 pick in the 2008 draft. So now the Pacers have the #11 and #17, they could move up if they want and make some bigger moves. Larry Bird is finally working in Indiana.

This is a win-win for both teams. Now let's see what the Pacers can do with their two first round picks. This could get interesting.