With this trade, the Raptors have to be considered among the Eastern Conference's top contenders this season..that is, IF Jermaine O'Neal can stay healthy. That's been a problem for him over the past couple of years, but with the added motivation of playing alongside Chris Bosh, O'Neal could be pushed to new heights of achievement.

Most importantly, what Eastern Conference team could match up with Bosh and O'Neal down low? Orlando has Dwight Howard, Chicago has a washed-up Ben Wallace, Detroit has 'Sheed. Boston's Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, along with a deep frontcourt, might pose the toughest challenge, but nobody boasts the one-two punch up front that Toronto now possesses. The fact that the Raptors dealt TJ Ford as part of the trade cements Jose Calderon's spot as the starting point guard, and as a largely pass-first and turnover-averse guard, he should have a field day dishing to Bosh and O'Neal.

As for the Pacers, they've appear to have put themselves in good position for the future. O'Neal was no longer happy in Indianapolis, and his window to lead the team deep into the playoffs disappeared during the Pacers-Pistons brawl years ago. Since the Pacers picked up Ford, they'll likely try to deal Jamaal Tinsley, something they've been dying to do for a long time now. Between Ford, their two mid-first rounders, and whoever they can get for Tinsley, plus the cap space they freed up by dealing O'Neal, the Pacers have positioned themselves well moving forward.

In the end, though, this trade has to be considered a coup for the Raptors. Yes, they dealt their first round pick, but they also let Calderon take over full-time and added a dominant center/power forward that can team with the still-improving Chris Bosh. Toronto should be considered serious threats to win the Eastern Conference this year, hands down.