ESPN is reporting that Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon have been traded to the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
Marion’s $17.1M contract ends at the end of the year and Marcus Banks’ contract ends at the end of the 2010-11 season. He stands to make approximately $4.5M.
Good deal? Only if we get to score in the free agent market in 2009. If Marion actually proves his worth we could even sign him to a reasonable contract, he happens to be the defensive stopper this team so desperately needs, the only issue with him is his salary. Marcus Banks’ inclusion isn’t ideal since he’s said to be dead weight and to make matters worse, he’s not that great. He was first unloaded by Phoenix and now again by Miami.
Give credit to Bryan Colangelo for correcting his mistakes, the fact that he makes so many is depressing but hey, at least he acknowledges them. What we do give up is the flexibility to play the 2010 free-agent market when LeBron James, Joe Johnson and our own, Chris Bosh, headline the market. You have to think that’s the main reason for Miami to make this deal.
Update: Yahoo is reporting that a “future” first-round pick also goes to Miami, this doesn’t sit right with me.