Wow, O'Neal to the Heat for Marion and Banks. To me this makes the Heat the clear #4 to the Magic, Celtics and Cavs in the East. Thoughts?
Edit: Jermane O'Neal of the Raptors that is.

Jermaine O'neal is past his prime, hes injury prone, hes failed to put up any consistant numbers this season. I thought the Raps got the better of this trade although Im not a marion fan at all. I just dont think at all that O'neal is gonna bring much to the table for Miami.

I do. Sure he won't be a superstar, but he basically plays the same position as Bosh, so his offensive numbers should improve and his defense is still good along with his rebounding. Think 17, 8 and 1.5. But that's not really the point of the trade, his contract goes off the books in 2010, that gives the Heat enough dollars to land some like Bosh or Melo. Or, alternatively, a solid veteran with an expiring contract will be an extremely valuable trading chip come next season.
Heat players with contracts that don't expire before 2010:
Cook
Beasley
Chalmers
Note: all rookie contracts

I don't see it playing out too well for the Raptors... I just don't see where they're headed. As for the heat, yeah they got O'Neal who's size is greatly needed but he's still not a legit center and now they only have 1 big threat to score. Double team D Wade and who's gonna hurt you?

Chalmers and Cook can both rain down from long distance, Haslem has an underrated midrange game...

Yeah but none of those guys are on par with The Matrix.

The Matrix, that who was scoring 12 a game? Oh, sorry...

Who's your MVP Proggy/Laces Out? Mine is LeBron, but I am a biased Cavs fan.

Wade, I think they're equals as players but Wade's having a better season.

Really? You're giving it to Wade under the same criteria that LeBron lost the award under last year? Kobe I understand, but D Wade not so much.