Trade Season has Started

Bryan Colangelo has finally made the move that has been rumored for the past month. With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, according to ESPN.com he has pulled the trigger on the trade with Miami Heat.

To the Heat - Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon

To the Raptors - Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks

This trade does one thing for the Raptors, opens up cap room. Jermaine's big contract comes off the books and we get a player in Marion that will also come off the books. Colangelo is familiar with Marion from his days in Phoenix and was the one that gave him the big contract to begin with.

According to the ESPN trade machine this is a bad trade for the Raptors. The projected wins go down 5, while the Heat increase their projected win total by 6.

What the Raptors do get is a solid back-up PG in Marcus Banks to play behind Calderon. Although his season stats don't reflect his potential. He has started 37 games in his career and averages about 10-15 minutes and 6 points a game. Doesn't sound phenomenal, but better than our current options. Getting Marion is another ball of wax. He is athletic swingman, that has a good chance to produce in the Toronto offense. I think the Toronto fans will like him and his ability to get to the basket. We just have to hope that he shows the brilliance that made him rich in Phoenix, instead of his recent performances in Miami. We also wonder what number he will wear since Andrea is currently sporting his familiar number 7, my guess is he goes back to 31 he wore with the Suns.

The only other thing, I'll mention in this post is that with all the trades being offered out of Miami the names Marion and Banks were included, but so was Michael Beasley, the 2008 2nd overall pick of the draft. If the Raptors had any chance to have him included in the trade and didn't, it will be a big mistake. He is coming into his own and will be a solid, if not spectacular NBA player.