The Hoop Doctors just heard that the Toronto Raptors have traded away the star center they acquired this summer, Jermaine O’Neal, along with Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat in exchange for small forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.
This is great news for Raptors fans, as Jermaine O’Neal has not been the consistent threat in the paint that they thought he would be when they acquired him. And with the recent surge in Andrea Bargnani’s play on both ends of the floor, the Raptors have acquired a player who can address their glaring weakness at small forward. Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is no stranger to Shawn Marion’s game as he helped build a successful run and gun team with Marion as a key piece in Phoenix during his tenure with the Suns. I would expect Marion’s production to rise quite a bit now that he is teamed again with a true point guard in Jose Calderon. After all-star break when Bosh and Calderon are back to 100% health, look for the Raptors to really start to get out and run.
The trade really does make sense for Miami as well. If Marion really was interested in resigning with the Heat he probably would have done so by now. To ensure the Heat get back close to equal value a deal was needed. Miami is VERY weak inside, which has recently become more glaring as they have matched up poorly against teams with big front lines. Denver for example hammered the Heat in the paint in this weeks match-up.
If O’Neal can stay healthy this deal could be good for both teams, but in my opinion the Raptors should look to be much more improved and make a serious run at one of the bottom playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
