The Toronto Raptors: Jermaine O'Neal Deal Analysis

In my opinion, this deal greatly benefits the Raptors in various cases. Sure, the Raptors give up an injury prone, up-and-comer in TJ Ford, a solid contributer in Rasho, a bench warmer in Maceo Bastion, and a 7-2 athletic centre in Hibbert, but they got back an underrated post defender, shot blocker, and a highly rated offensive post player in Jermaine O'Neal (when healthy).

If Jermaine is healthy, the Raptors, in essence, have traded a ball controlling, speedy point guard, a role player, and two unproven big men for an All-Star without giving too many solid contributers in the scheme of their offense while improving their interior defense.

Positives:

—The presence of Jermaine O'Neal should reduce the double teams on Chris Bosh and allow him to beat his man via his many offensive skills.

—Jermaine compliments Bosh nicely because Bosh, though an exceptional low post player, prefers to play the perimeter, drive and draw the foul, and play facing the basket while Jermaine has the same skill set and has agreed to compliment Bosh's game, which translates to him posting up on the low block frequently.

—Sam Mitchell has said that when the ball goes up the court it will fall in the hands of Jermaine and Bosh to set up the offense. With the attention teams will be giving these two great players, there will be better shots for premier shooters like Parker and Kapono.

—The Raptors correct two major weaknesses in the previously mentioned interior defense and, as importantly, rebounding.

Contrary to the heralded "Twin Tower" potential in these two All-Stars, there are also quite a few negatives to this trade.

Negatives:

—Point Guard depth is in question. Roko Ukic is a solid European player but there is question of whether he can run the point and keep the offense fluid when Calderon goes to the bench for rest.

—Depth in general is in question. By trading away two key rotation players, a back up bench warmer in Maceo Baston, and what could have been a rotation center in Hibbert, there is question of the drop off level when the Raptor draws on their bench.

(This problem can be slightly rectified if Kapono and Andrea Bargnani realize their potential somewhat.)

—If the Raptors did not trade for O'Neal and a key player like Ford or Bosh got injured, the team, though not anywhere near competitive as a playoff team, would still be a relevant team with a chance to win "Leastern Conference" games if they kept their focus.

In this case, if Jermaine or Bosh gets injured there is a gaping hole at the forward positions. If Bargnani doesn't show up like he didn't last season, the Raptors are in huge trouble when one of the "Twin Towers" goes down.

The potential starting line up without Bosh would be Jermaine at center, Bargnani (Who proved last year that his post game, rebounding, and defence in general need a HUGE upgrade) at power forward, Kapono or Moon at the three, and Parker and Calderon as the guards.

If O'Neal is injured, Bosh or Bargnani would have to play center and that would cause match up problems as well. Plus, with one of the "Twin Towers" out, the Raptors will be forced to play small ball and become a jump shooting team, which will cause them to lose games to many of the half court teams in the NBA.

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