The Miami Heat traded Shawn Marion & Marcus Banks to the Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal & Jamario Moon, which means Amare Stoudemire will be going somewhere other than Miami.Here is what I had to say about O'Neal being traded to Miami a few days back:
I'm not a fan of this move for the Heat on the court, because I don't think you trade for Jermaine O'Neal unless you think you can ride him to an NBA title this season. I don't think the Heat, even with O'Neal, are going to be able to compete with Boston, Cleveland, & Orlando over this season and next season when O'Neal's contract expires. Now notice that Jermaine O'Neal's contract expires in 2010, which means the Heat would have about $22 million of cap room to go after one of the bigger free agents after they sign Dwyane Wade of course. Since Pat Riley usually makes good moves, I'm thinking that is the reason they don't mind grabbing O'Neal right now. They can stay competitive this season and next and then will be in good shape to sign 2 players from the big free agent class of 2010.
Again this is a better business move by Miami than an improvement on the court. Sure, Jermaine O'Neal will definitely help out the Heat downlow on the defensive end and in the post up game on offense, but he's not going to make them title contenders. O'Neal is going to be in Miami for the remainder of this year and possibly next season if they don't trade his expiring contract. If he does stay on the Heat past next year, it will be at a price that is far reduced from the $22 million he is due next season.
I also love the fact that Miami dumps Marcus Banks and picks up Jamario Moon, who is a quality defender, who might actually be better than Marion at this point in his career on defense. Moon is a nice piece to get as a throw in and could be in the long term plans for the Heat as someone they can match up defensively at times against the Lebron's, Kobe's, and Pierce's of the league. Overall, I like the move for the Heat, because it's keeps them competitive for now and should put them in good position to make some more moves next season and in 2010.
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Again this is a better business move by Miami than an improvement on the court. Sure, Jermaine O'Neal will definitely help out the Heat downlow on the defensive end and in the post up game on offense, but he's not going to make them title contenders. O'Neal is going to be in Miami for the remainder of this year and possibly next season if they don't trade his expiring contract. If he does stay on the Heat past next year, it will be at a price that is far reduced from the $22 million he is due next season.
I also love the fact that Miami dumps Marcus Banks and picks up Jamario Moon, who is a quality defender, who might actually be better than Marion at this point in his career on defense. Moon is a nice piece to get as a throw in and could be in the long term plans for the Heat as someone they can match up defensively at times against the Lebron's, Kobe's, and Pierce's of the league. Overall, I like the move for the Heat, because it's keeps them competitive for now and should put them in good position to make some more moves next season and in 2010.
More: NBA
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