Wed Jun 25 20:58:54 2008

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Raptors on verge of getting O'Neal from Pacers

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Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors have reportedly agreed in principle to acquire six-time All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal from the Indiana Pacers.

The deal was reported by several media sources, including the Indianapolis Star, on the eve of the NBA Draft. The newspaper reports the Pacers would get point guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, an unnamed player, and the rights to Toronto's 17th pick in Thursday night's draft.

O'Neal played in just 42 games last season due to an injury to his left knee and averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. A first-round draft pick by Portland in 1996, he has career averages of 14.4 points and 7.7 boards. O'Neal spent the first four seasons of his career playing for the Trail Blazers.

Ford played in just 51 games this past season, mostly due to a spinal cord contusion, and averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 assists. He became expendable due to the solid play of Jose Calderon. Ford has career averages of 11.6 points and 6.9 assists in four seasons, including two with Milwaukee.

Nesterovic averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 boards over 71 contests last season, his second for the Raptors. He played his first five seasons for Minnesota before heading to San Antonio from 2004-06.