Toronto Trying to Shake Things Up

by Chris Alvino on January 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am

According to the News-Herald, a Cleveland based paper, Bryan Colangelo has tried to move Jermaine O’Neal to at least 1/2 dozen teams. Jermaine will be making over $20 million this year and next year, becoming a free agent before the summer of 2010.  Scouts believe that Jermaine has no more lift in his legs, but he still has the ability to defend and score.

Jermaine is a tough trade for Toronto to make in part for the same reason Marbury is a tough trade.  Having to match that salary is no easy task, especially for a player who is a gigantic injury risk.  Depending on whether or not the Raptors make a run in the coming weeks, a Marbury for O’Neal swap might make sense for both teams.  Marbury’s deal comes off the books after this season and would provide major salary cap relief going forward.  Being under the cap and looking desperately for a shooting guard, the Raptors might be able to make a play for free agent Ben Gordon this summer.  Regardless of the lift in his legs, Jermaine would provide the interior defense and length that the Knicks so desperately need.  Give him 25 minutes a night, and I am sold on JO.  Even with Malik and Steph’s expiring deals, cap space for the Knicks this off-season will not matter to the Knicks; whose only additions will be a first round draft pick and the use of the MLE.

The report also mentions Bargnani as being on the block.  He is long and talented.  This team would not be a bad place for him to try to regroup.  He plays the same position as Danilo Gallinari, though.  Imagine having the 6’11 Bargnani in one corner, and the 6’10 Gallo in the other?  With the 6’9 Al Harrington coming off the bench? However unless the Raptors want Curry, I am not sure what we can really offer them.

Also, Marc Berman reported this morning that the Blazers have interest in Eddy Curry, mentioning that the Blazers will do “anything for a big man.”

Again with Curry, we have to see him play before he gets traded.  He is young, big, and talented; but his deal will potentially eat into the 2010 summer.  If Walsh was willing to give away Randolph for cap space, I am sure that he would be very willing to trade the big man.  Berman’s report does not offer much, except for mentioning Tommy anonymously.

“A newspaper referred to it as a “report,” but it actually was a posted comment on a Knick blog by a person claiming to have ties with the Clippers. “

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • BiggieSmalls

    Chris — giving Toronto 21 mil of sal cap relief THIS year and taking JO off their hands is a huge rake for them..Even if they tell Marbury to stay home

    I think the Raps should sweeten the deal for US and thrown in Bargnani.. He is 7’1 now BTW and really needs a change of scenery, I think the DPE is right there as a match for il Mago’s nut..

    If JO gives us –like you said — 20-25 a night in combo with Curry and the other bigs we could really have something. And Curry getting 20-25 might optimize his value

  • jcmoney

    Marbury for jermaine makes too much sense to me. They deal with Marbury (much easier in Toronto where, well, no one cares), and we eat an additional year of 20 million, but we get the shot blocking and defense that we terribly need.

  • Chris Alvino

    Big- I am unclear on your comment…. are you saying that you would not make that deal? I get the impression that you are all in, but I am not sure.

    And for Bargnani to be a throw in, I am not so sure about that.

  • Chris Alvino

    And if the Raptors decided to actually give Marbury playing time, this really makes a ton of sense for them. They need a scoring guard. Marbury, from what I remember, was a pretty good scoring guard.

  • BiggieSmalls

    I like moving Marbury for JO but think we need to get something else for taking on 20 mil in 2009 plus the 10 mil lux tax bill..

    I think i’ve been spouting this match up for some time.. It makes a ton of sense for both teams.. But i’d like to see DW get il Mago somehow for the 30 mil he is absorbing./

  • Chris Alvino

    And the most important stat for me…. JO is averaging 1.86 blocks per game. He is a threat on the defensive block.

    If we keep Lee. I can see a lineup of

    JO
    Lee
    Chandler
    Q Rich
    Duhon

    Maybe try to deal Curry off for guard help.

  • Chris Alvino

    Truthfully, with the headache that Marbury is perceived as, I do not see Walsh getting Bargnani as a throw in. A second rounder, maybe.

    What about Parker / Bargnani / JO for Roberson / Steph / Curry?

    Does that work for anyone? I would hate to see Curry erupt in Toronto, but we would fill definite needs. Another 2 guard that can shoot the three (expring deal as well), a defensive minded center and former all-star, and a former #1 pick with good upside that has yet to live up to his billing.

    Toronto gets massive cap relief and a center to pair with Bosh.

  • DanL

    I think a JO/Steph swap is a win win. And it eliminates the satisfaction of Steph getting to chose his next squad, unless of course, Toronto waives him.

  • BiggieSmalls

    Chances of Steph not wanting to go to Toronto are very high.. He would have roughly 10 mil left on his deal at the trade deadline so it would not be unreasonable fr Toronto to just give him the coin and send him on his way..

    I like the concept .. dont get me wrong .. but a straight up swap — even if Steph doesnt play in Toronto is a win for them..Steph is persona no grata in the league. His next uniform is in Italy no doubt.

    This would be purely a salary dump for the Raps. But think about it.. we are taking down JO’s 21 mil next year as well as the 10 mil lux tax payment. 31 million dollars.. I know its not our money and it doesnt affect the 2010 plan but DW has to figure he can get a wash out like il Mago for that much ..the DPE offsets il Mago’s salary and gives the Raps a real chance to add a big piece for the final push to keep Bosh in 2010.

    JO is injury prone and is in fact hurt right now.. IF we can have him split time with EC then both can remain fresh. And JO stil lhas the D-ability as shown by his blocks this year.

  • da0213

    Considering how close Mike D’Antoni and Bryan Colangelo are from their days together is Phoenix, I’d say there’s absolutely no chance that Toronto would take Marbury.

    Plus, I don’t see the Raps looking to help the Knicks out in any way in terms of salary with Bosh one of the top three targets in 2010

  • http://www.knicksfan.net/?p=226 Steph for J.O. trade? | The Knicks FanBlog

    [...] for J.O. trade? Jan 6th, 2009 by Dan L. Chris Alvino, via a Cleveland newspaper,  reports that the Raptors are willing to move Jermaine O’Neal. He throws out a Steph for Jermaine [...]

  • BiggieSmalls

    the best thing Toronto can do to ensure that Bosh re ups with them in 2010 is scramble to put a competitive team on the court..They have to move fast with Bold moves in order to do that and keep Bosh happy.

    They tried a bold move with J.O. and it didnt work.. All press points to them blowing that up and starting over again..

    If you looka t youtube vids of the Raps there is plenty of clips of Bosh getting in Bargnani’s face a few times. Is there a problem between Bosh and Bargnani? I dont know for sure. But it is clear that Bargnni isnt meeting expectations in Toronto. He needs a change of scenery to try to reestablish why he was a number one over all pick..

    My thinking is that Coach D’s relationship with Colangelo, il Mago’s Italian heritage, having Gallo on the roster and restarting in a heavily Italian NY market could be thing that propels him to reach his potential.

  • Chris Alvino

    Yeah Toronto would not be helping up salary-wise. If anything, we would be helping them by allowing them to go out this off-season and sign a big free agent. I do not think that Boozer would go to Toronto (Miami, for family reasons is my guess), but imagine Boozer and Bosh?

    What about Bosh and Millsap? Dare I say it, Lee and Bosh? Throw in a guy like Ben Gordon. This upcoming off-season is not loaded with FA, but there will be some out there. They are probably foaming from the mouth to lose this guy and not take any salary back for next year.

    As far as the D’Antoni / Colangelo connection, friendships will not impede basketball moves. If anything, that relationship will facilitate any deal.

    By the way, Big, you really love this idea of Bargnani. So do I, but you really seem to like it. In my mind, moderate risk, high reward.

  • belikmike23

    Suns released Dee Brown.

  • Chris Alvino

    Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, Bargnani had 21 points last night, connecting on 5 of his 6 three point attempts. He is now shooting over 39% from three point land.

    But he is shooting in the low forties from the field. For a seven footer… ouch.

  • BiggieSmalls

    The more I think of Bargnani the more I like it..

    With the Gallo connection and D’Antoni talking Italian to him how can he not be reborn?

    The dude was a number one overall for a reason.. I mean he was a top 5 prospect at the least and has the talent. His previews say he needed to get in the right situation to blossom and clearly Toronto was not the place..

    I think it is more low risk high reward.. Toronto is panicking right now and could lose Bosh in 18 months. If they lop off 20 mil from their cap in 09/10 they can make a play for a sign and trade to put some pieces around Bosh and make him think twice about leaving.. Them having cap space in 10/11 doesnt do them any good and that’s what they are set up for now with JO expiring next year..

    Its a match made in heaven and can really set up up. Worst case you dont Qualify Bargnani in 10/11 and you have another 8 or so million in cap.

  • da0213

    I was talking more about the Raps taking Curry when speaking about salary help.

    But back to Marbury, you have to ask yourself what does Toronto gain by doing that? Toronto wants to win now. Steph is not gonna make that happen, nor is he a Colangelo type of player…

  • BiggieSmalls

    if by win now you mean 2009 I agree with you.. But they are playing 400 ball and are 15 GB the standings in this year..

    They made their big splash to win this year by getting JO and it hasnt worked. THey fired their manager and have played dismally since then.

    I think (and the press reports confirm that) Colangelo would take a punt on this season in order to set himself up for another big splash in summer and try to make Bosh happy by making a run again 2009.. So they complete in the year before he is eligible to opt out.

    Having the cap space this year — while not a great FA year like 10/11 gives them the opportunity to be the big dogs in free agency..

    Similar to Miami going after Boozer in this offseason to placate Wade and his impending free agency..

    now that Ive done no work today..

  • Chris Alvino

    But Toronto is not winning right now. When mid-February rolls around, if they are still underachieving, moving JO will be the smart move. They have a better chance of winning next year, when it matters, by signing a couple of free agents than they do by having an aging JO on their roster.

    In Toronto, JO has to be a big time player. In NY, he would only be a role player (an expensive one at that). He would be called upon to play defense and rebound and score in the paint. In our system, there is no focal point. Therefore, JO would not have to be the all-star he once was.

    Make no mistake, Marbury would not be a factor on the court for Toronto. If dealt there, they can play him. After all, he is still very much talented and he will be playing for a new contract. But also, make no mistake that they have a lot to gain from bringing on Marbury……… 21 million coming off their books.

  • da0213

    Hmmm…. I see your points. I guess it does make sense on that level – if they are truly packing up camp for this season. We still got 3 more months of reg season, though. It is the East, after all, and it’s not like they’re Washington bad, but I do see what you guys are saying.