Even so, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.

The most pertinent question is this: How long will it take for this team to come together?

Whether the answer is after the All-Star game, by the playoffs, next year or beyond, at least the Sixers finally have a viable future.

The best that can be hoped for: Playing in the conference finals.

Toronto Raptors

Trading T. J. Ford was a great move for several reasons. It put the offense exclusively in the capable hands of Jose Calderon, who tends to over-handle, but who's stronger, slightly better defensively, and less prone to force shots than Ford. The trade also brought Jermaine O'Neal, who can hopefully cure the power shortage that has hampered the Raptors for so many years.

Even so, the roster remains top-heavy with shooters: Marshmallow-soft Andreas Bargnani. High-flying Jamario Moon. And Jason Kapono, who has no other NBA qualifications. Only Anthony Parker has a complete game, and is in fact one of the league's most underrated players.

Chris Bosh remains the face of the franchise, a slasher and mid-range jump shooter, who should be the primary beneficiary of O'Neal's husky presence in the paint.

But O'Neal remains the key to the Raptors' fortunes. In the past, playing in the low post has either worn him down or resulted in crippling injuries. Also, O'Neal has never been accused of delivering in clutch situations. Still, if he's willing to battle and bang in the paint, the Raptors will finally have a big man who will demand double-teaming. The result should be even more unchallenged long-distance jumpers than ever.

Even if O'Neal supplies the requisite interior force, the Raptors overall defense and lack of quality backups would remain problematic.

The best that can be hoped for: Advancing into the second round of the playoffs.