MVN - Most Valuable Network

Pacers Get Hibbert, Raptors Get Jawai

Since Toronto’s 17th overall pick is a major part of the proposed (and essentially confirmed by Jermaine O’Neal) T.J. Ford-O’Neal trade, the Raptors are basically picking who the Pacers tell them to pick.

That pick was Georgetown C Roy Hibbert, who will essentially (along with Rasho Nesterovic and Maceo Baston) help replace O’Neal in Indiana. Hibbert at this spot was a little high, as he was projected to go behind the likes of Kosta Koufos, JaVale McGee, Robin Lopez at the center position.

Now, first, let me hypothetically break down how Hibbert would fit in Toronto. He really would be a good fit on the Raptors, as he is NBA-ready now and would be a serviceable back-up center down low.

His biggest asset is his height (7′2″) but he improved every year at Georgetown and put up solid numbers for one of the nation’s top college programs. I think Hibbert doesn’t necessarily have the upside some of the above mentioned centers have, but I think that he is the most NBA-ready and is more of a sure thing than any of those players. Hibbert definitely has the ability to be an above-average NBA center who will have a lengthy NBA career in front of him.

Now, I’ll break it down for the Pacers, as they get pretty much what I described above- a solid back-up for Rasho Nesterovic at the center position. I like this selection for the Pacers, as Hibbert can spend a year learning under a veteran center in Rasho.

Also, a little comment on another proposed trade involving the Pacers, the one that would send PG Jarrett Jack, F/C Josh McRoberts, and (the rights to) Kansas G Brandon Rush to Indiana from Portland, who would receive F Ike Diogu and (the rights to) Arizona PG Jerryd Bayless.

This deal kind of reflects that the Pacers will be getting Ford, as in trading Bayless they get a bigger PG in Jack (6′3″) who can handle the bigger PGs (such as Chauncey Billups) that Ford can’t handle. Jack is a solid back-up to Ford who has been in the league for three years and wouldn’t be hindered as much playing behind Ford as Bayless would be. McRoberts is an interesting addition to the trade though, as it is the fourth big man that Indiana would be bringing in.

41st pick: PF/C Nathan Jawai (Australia)- The Pacers second round pick will be heading Toronto’s way and I was literally drooling at the though of Memphis G Chris Douglas-Roberts falling to this spot, as he was a player that I thought would be a great pick with the 17th pick.  The fact that he fell to into the 2nd round at all was really shocking to me, and as Indiana/Toronto’s pick got closer I was really getting pumped. Alas, those pesky Nets chose Douglas-Roberts with the 40th pick, crushing that dream.

However, I’m still happy with the selection of Jawai who, like Douglas-Roberts, was projected to be a late 1st round pick.  He is pretty much everything that the Raptors need in a big man, as he a load and force inside, running 6′10″ and 270 pounds.  He is strong and surprisingly athletic for his frame.  I’ve also read that he can get angry and emotional, but not to the point where it affects his game in a negative manner.

I think Jawai could possibly challenge for a roster spot this season, as he brings the big body and strength inside to help this team deal with the Pistons, Magic, and any other team with a large front court.  He would be a great complement off the bench to our slender starters in Bosh and O’Neal off the bench, and a real change-up from the only other big man Toronto has under contract in Andrea Bargnani.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 8:38 pm and is filed under Toronto Raptors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.