The Raptors acquired Nathan Jawai along with Jermaine O’Neal in the draft day blockbuster. Jawai is 6′10″, 280 pounds and he likes to throw his weight around. He was played in 30 games in the Australian Pro Basketball League last season and he averaged 17.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He will likely be a project for the Raptors as he will be very low on the depth chart as a rookie.

The Toronto Raptors made a bold move which will likely make them a title contender in 2008-09. The Raptors have acquired F/C Jermaine O’Neal and rookie C/F Nathan Jawai out of Australia from the Pacers for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and 1st round pick Roy Hibbert. The price was pretty high but the Raptors can replace everyone that they got rid of. O’Neal will likely start at center and that should take a lot of pressure off of Chris Bosh who had to try to do too much quite often last season. The 29-year old O’Neal played in only 42 games (34 starts) last season for the Pacers and he averaged 13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game. O’Neal has now played in 724 games (515 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game. Rookie F/C Nathan Jawai is a big guy at 6′10″, 280 pounds and he played professionally in Australia in 2007. Jawai played in 30 games last season and he averaged 17.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Jawai is a project and the Raptors will take it slow with him. If O’Neal can stay healthy this is a good trade for the Raptors.

The Raptors have acquired forward Giorgos Printezis from the Spurs for a 2008 2nd round pick.  Printezis played his college ball in Greece and he fits right in with the wide open style of the Raptors.  Printezis is 6′8″,220 pounds and he has a reputation of being a tough guy despite his modest production overseas.  Printezis played in 42 games in Greece and he averaged 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds an 0.6 assists per game.  He made 60.9% of his shots from the floor, 38.5% from three point range and 68.9% from the free throw line.  The Raptors have had recent success with players from Europe so keep your fingers crossed.