Bye Jermaine?

With the draft just a few days away and the Pacers in a must win situation rumors are swirling that forward Jermaine O’Neal is to be traded to the Toronto Raptors for a couple of players (plus one more player to make the number right) and the Raptors first round pick in the draft (#17 overall). O’Neal has been with the Pacers since 2000 after being drafted out of high school by Portland. But we all know those particulars.

O’Neal is just 29 years old, but he seems to be an old 29. He’s been playing in the league for 11 seasons and the past few have been marked by injuries and missed games.

Jermaine has been a solid player for the Pacers, but he has never really been a superstar. He played for the USA in the World Championships a few years ago and made the All Star team six times in his career to this point. And what may be the most important and endearing stat of his career, has avoided the legal troubles many of his Pacer teammates have been unable or unwilling to avoid.

But is O’Neal really worth keeping? On a team that is struggling for respect from the local community, and fair or not, Jermaine is the face of a franchise that has been bad both on and off the court. Sure he clobbered a fan during the brawl, but his uninspired play over the past few years have been much more indicative of where I see him now. He’s a big man who has been through a lot of NBA games and he just seems to be breaking down.

Frankly I’d be surprised if the Pacers can pull off the trade. I just don’t think Jermaine has it anymore and I can’t believe the Raptors can’t see that. Not to mention his ginormous salary. But hey, Larry Bird is in need of some miracle moves and a great draft day. Moving Jermaine may buy Legend a little more time, but he still has to hit a homer come Thursday night.