Polling GSoM: Heat and Raptors Trade

by Atma Brother ONE on Feb 13, 2009 11:40 AM PST in Polling GSoM

Well it looks like the first big trade of the 2008-2009 NBA season has gone down- and no, the Adam Morrison for Valdamir Radmanovic trade doesn't count. The Miami Heat have traded Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Toronto Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon [NBA.com]. Both Marion and O'Neal are big name players, but neither has impressive stats this season in key areas where they are usually much better.

Shawn Marion

12 ppg vs 17.9 career average
8.7 rpg vs 10.0 career average

Jermaine O'Neal

13.5 ppg vs a streak of about 20 ppg from 2000-2007
7.0 rpg vs a streak of about 9-10 rpg from 2000-2007

They're both 30. I'm ready to write off O'Neal as a non-All Star for the remainer of his NBA career, but I still have hope that Marion will resurface as a high impact player. Even though he still seems like he can protect the rim very well (I could be wrong), O'Neal just seems like broken and damaged goods. I'm willing to bank that under Nellieball or D'Antoni, Marion can still be the Matrix.

For some real deal insider views check out:

Peninsula is Mightier (Miami Heat)
Hoops Addict
RaptorsHQ.com
David Thorpe on Jermaine O'Neal for Shawn Marion [True Hoop]
Heat Trade Marion to Toronto for O'Neal (Rated-R Superstar)

Poll

Who got the better end of this trade?

Miami Heat: Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon

324 votes

Toronto Raptors: Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks

358 votes

682 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Heat

Heat definitely got the better deal, in my opinion, though if I were Colangelo, I would make the trade for the Raptors as well. Here’s why it’s great for Miami:

-The Matrix just wasn’t producing, and he would almost assuredly leave after this season.
-The have no center. When they want someone >6’8" starting at C, they’ve been starting Joel Anthony. Joel Anthony, guys. While they could really use a post presence offensively, they really needed a defender down low. O’Neal, when healthy, is still a premier interior defender in this league. If he shows the offense we know he’s capable of, great, but otherwise just knowing that they won’t get completely abused by DH12 has got to feel great.
-Jamario Moon has a ton of athleticism and potential. He is a very similar player to Marion, though obviously not as good.
-The heat were stacked at Marion’s position. they had the dilemma – do they play Marion, the all-star caliber vet, or Beasley, the sky-high potential rookie? They both had similar games and sizes. While Moon also fits this category, he will be more than happy coming off the bench. This opens up room for Beasley’s development, which, let’s face it, will largely determine Miami’s future.
-The Heat can play JO and Beasley simultaneously, which opens up a ton of room in the middle for Flash.
-And last, there is no player left on the Heat who wants a bigger role, or is an emotional question mark of any kind.

Solid move for Miami.

by bradyk2 on Feb 13, 2009 12:39 PM PST reply actions

Great analysis BK2,

but I think the Raptors got the better end of the deal. JO was on the hook for another year and is unproductive while Matrix is expiring and is still a productive player.

The have no center. When they want someone >6’8" starting at C, they’ve been starting Joel Anthony.

If your counting on Jermaine Oneal to hold down the center spot this year and next, your living in a fantasy world. BEST CASE, this guy gives you 50 games next year, most likely 35-45.

Jamario Moon has a ton of athleticism and potential. He is a very similar player to Marion, though obviously not as good.

Understatement x10. Moon has a decent 3 point shot and plays hard. Shawn Marion is multiple time former all star.

As far as postions and what not, I have to agree with your take. But as overall ‘winner’ I still think Toronto, added a really good player for a bad player, that expires a year earlier. Moon and Banks are both roles players and while Moon is the better role player, Banks gives Toronto a proven backup behind Calderon(Roko doesn’t count)

We will probably need to be patient and let this season play out.
-warriorsvictim

by warriorsscore110 on Feb 13, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions

Toronto wins if...

They can resign Bosh prior to his opt out and convince him that they’re building with the $$$ they saved form dealing JO. Don’t be surprised to see TOR busy dealing on draft day (la Boston in 2007) to put another big piece around Bosh. Then again they might find out that Marion is that piece, but I tend to doubt that.

A Sonics fan without a team.. Though I'm auditioning GS Warriors this season.

by mcwalter44 on Feb 13, 2009 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

This is a very good point, warriorsscore110

but I think the Raptors got the better end of the deal. JO was on the hook for another year and is unproductive while Matrix is expiring and is still a productive player.

Furthermore, Toronto doesn’t want to get rid of Bosh, and this will give them the cap space in 2010 to possibly sign another quality FA to play alongside Bosh, and keep their franchise player there.

You made great points as to why Toronto wins this deal. Furthermore, they were often starting Bosh, JO, and Bargnani! That’s waaaay too big of a lineup! This way they can move players over a little, and gain some athleticism, while retaining their size. The more I think about it, the more I realize you’re right, Toronto does win this trade.

BUT, I think it’s a trade that really needed to be made for both teams. Excellent points.

by bradyk2 on Feb 13, 2009 2:19 PM PST up reply actions

Furthermore, Toronto doesn’t want to get rid of Bosh

Definetly, and why would they? Even if they trade him for prospects, the Chris Bosh’s of the world dont grow on trees. They have to make some type of desperate attempt to get into the top 4 in the east by next season’s playoffs and convince him to stay and build his legacy there. Trading him for prospects make no sense. If he leaves, he leaves, but Toronto wont be the ones who push him out the door.

We will probably need to be patient and let this season play out.
-warriorsvictim

by warriorsscore110 on Feb 13, 2009 8:35 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed...

Also, the Heat were able to dump Marcus Bank’s dead weight contact that has 2 years totaling 9 million dollars remaining on it after this season ends. It also sets them up as a huge player in the 2010 FA market. Not only are they set to pay Wade max $$$, but they’ll also have enough room to add another top tier FA.

A Sonics fan without a team.. Though I'm auditioning GS Warriors this season.

by mcwalter44 on Feb 13, 2009 1:09 PM PST up reply actions

I win

Toronto games are now must-see TV. PHX/GS North! Raptors shock Celtics in first round behind 14 3’s from Jason Kapono!!!!

Miami, on the other hand, could not get more boring. I watched the end of the game last night because it seemed like the kind of thing that is considered exciting, but it wasn’t.

by antihero on Feb 13, 2009 1:33 PM PST reply actions

Toronto

it’s too bad they can’t seem to keep anyone around up there, because Bosh and Marion is a pretty nice frontline to build around. I bet they are both gone before next season.

Monta is the singular of Montus, of the Montai

by Supafishal on Feb 13, 2009 2:12 PM PST reply actions