Same Jermaine?

Exchanges are not improvements. Improvements enhance assets. Improvements negate deficiencies. Exchanges merely swap unwanted resources.

On Friday, the Toronto Raptors traded Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat. As reciprocation, the Raptors received Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. “It gives us some power down low, which since Shaq left we've been missing,” said Dwyane Wade. “We really need that to compete in the Eastern Conference. Our main thing is we need to get it together fast. Making a trade at this time sometimes makes it tough on teams to get everybody on the same page. Hopefully, we can.”

During his career, O’Neal has registered 14.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest. He has tallied six nineteen-plus point seasons. He has also logged six nine-plus rebound seasons. “You've got to get honest with yourself and say if you're going to compete with the big boys, you've got to get somebody in the middle,” said Heat President Pat Riley.

During his career, Marion has registered 17.9 points and 10 rebounds per contest. He has tallied nine fourteen-plus point seasons. He has tallied nine nine-plus rebound seasons.

This exchange is intriguing. If O’Neal recaptures dominance, Miami is a contender. If he remains mediocre, this was a component reshuffling.