Jermaine O'Neal and Moon traded for Marion and Banks

But a first round pick too? Moon was more than enough as a sweetener

 

The pick is lottery protected, no big deal, there arn't too many good players left by that time. The important thing is Chris Bosh wants to see the team improve by the time his contract ends (which is end of next year), and O'Neal just was not the right fit, so a change was necessary. This move allows for some flexibility for BC to improve this team over the next year, his reputation is on the line, till now he's been a crappy GM. Rumour is CB4 wants out if things don't change....don't expect this to be the last deal BC is gonna make....Anthony Parker is probably gone as well..... O'Neal was not as easy to move as most think, his knee issues are real, and his contract is scary....plus Moon is a scrub (don't know why anyone thinks he's goood)

 

IMO, Marion can be a good fit for the Raptors. Not because of any reason other than he has a pass-first point guard now.

Since you're more in tune w/ the Raptors, I want to know what they are thinking up there. If they don't re-sign Marion, they'll be about 10-12 mil under the cap depending on where the cap is set at next season. That's a good amount of coin but the FA class of 09 is barren as they come. (List)

Ben Gordon? He's an upgrade offensively at the 2 spot but I doubt he'll be the guy that wows Bosh

Jason Kidd? Iverson? Artest? Old, past his prime, can't do any good.

Turkoglu? Man I'd hate to see Colangelo throw 11 mil per for him.


The intriguing names will be Rasheed Wallace and Lamar Odom. I think both players in Raptors uniforms can persuade Bosh to stay. Another would be Millsap. He's a restricted FA, but I bet Utah would let him walk if any offers starts off at 8-9 mil per.

Other than that, what else would cap room be good for in a year that is pretty much make it or break it in terms of Bosh signing or not?

 

Well to be honest the Raps already have a pf (Bosh), a Pg (Calderon) and a C (Bargnani). The reason they've been losing so many games is because they aren't getting production from both of their swing positions. Moon has good defense and is athletic, but his shot hasn't really been falling this season. On the other hand, Kapono can shot but can't really do anything else. Marion gives Calderon a swing to work with, O'neal leaving means there's more time for Bargnani this season.

 

The last big trade the Heat dealt small for big it won them a championship (Shaq for Odom & Caron Butler). Thats probably how Riley's approaching it, old fashioned go big over small.

I didnt pay attention to the first round pick. Makes the deal a little more even I think cuz there's no guarantee of Jermaine O'Neal's health plus Marion's the better healthier player at this point (though for potentially only a half season)