Cleveland Cavaliers
Jermaine O'Neal
Salary: $21,372,000 Years Remaining: 2(player Option)
Jason Kapono
Salary: $5,784,480 Years Remaining: 2
Toronto Raptors
Lorenzen Wright
Salary: $797,581 Years Remaining: 1
Wally Szczerbiak
Salary: $13,775,000 Years Remaining: 1
Eric Snow
Salary: $7,312,500 Years Remaining: 1
Rights to Chicago's 2009 2nd round pick
This is not an ideal trade for either team, however, it helps both teams in the short-term and the long-term.
Why for Toronto: The Jermaine Oneal experiment has not worked out, and the Raptors want to remedy this situation as soon as possible. Bryan Colangelo does not want to part with Bargnani, and since he has actually played well the last 5 games, his resolve is even stronger. By trading Oneal NOW. Bryan will have a chance to take either Snow or Wally's contract, and re-trade it for players that the Raptors can use moving forward. Wally could help the Raptors, replacing Kapono, but since he is expiring, it may be more beneficial to move him for a couple younger guys who can help more. Another scenario would have the Raps moving Snow and Parker is a couple separate trades, and letting Wally expire. The Raptors will also get Chicago's 2nd rounder this summer, which should be fairly high, and they save 5.4 million immediately from this trade.
Why for the Cavaliers: To many Cavalier fans, this may seem like an excessive amount to pay out for what they are getting back. However, The Cavaliers are in win now mode. Jermaine Oneal is a match-up problem for Boston, and he can cover Garnette better than any other PF in the league. Jason Kapono is a role-player, who will only be used for match-up situations, basically taking the role Wally had, for less minutes. The 2nd round pick would seem to be excessive also, considering that this trade saves Toronto so much and also gives them the flexibility to change their season around... but the benefits for the Cavaliers are equal...only a bit delayed. Jermaine and Jason will be expiring contracts next year... so, in addition to Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, Zydrunas Ilgauskas... the Cavaliers will have 2 more huge expiring deals next year...and that will put them in the middle of every deal that is available come next year's trade dead-line. The Cavaliers won't be forced to make a move either, because they will have nearly 58 million in expiring contracts... that is enough to take-on the entire salary of some teams whole payroll. Immediately, Jermaine helps with the front-court rotation, and Jason can do what he does best: Shoot the three ball.
