Pacers' O'Neal confirms trade to Raptors

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers are trading six-time All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal to the Toronto Raptors for point guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in the draft and a player to be determined.

O'Neal confirmed the trade Thursday, saying he was pleased with the move by team president Larry Bird.

"He wanted to get me to a place where I could contend and do what I'm capable of doing," O'Neal told the Associated Press. "We both agreed that the timing was perfect. His focus on getting them (the Pacers) to a level where they can grow and start to be competitive was tremendous."

O'Neal wasn't surprised by the trade.

"I knew last year that this time would be coming," he said.

Pacers spokesman David Benner said he could not confirm the trade.

"We're stuck in our role here, the players can say whatever they want, we can't say anything," Benner said.

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo told the Canadian Press on Wednesday that he was in the midst of "four or five" conversations with teams involving Ford and a combination of Toronto's No. 17 pick and/or other Raptors players leading up to Thursday night's draft.

Jermaine O'Neal (right) and Chris Bosh will be on the same front line. (Getty Images)

A deal can't be finalized until July 1, when Ford's base-year compensation tag comes off the books.

O'Neal said he took his physical Wednesday, but he wasn't sure if Ford had finished his.

O'Neal, who will turn 30 before entering his 13th season, has a contract paying him more than $44 million over the next two seasons. He will be a part of a powerhouse front line with All-Star forward Chris Bosh.

"I think playing alongside Chris Bosh gives us a different dynamic," O'Neal said. "You look at teams in the NBA, you look at their low-post players, and they always have one good player, and when that good player goes out, you can change your defense a little bit and load up on other areas. Even with us starting out the games together, one of us will always be on the floor. You won't get a chance to adjust your defense."

That's one of the main reasons he believes the Raptors can contend for an NBA title next season.