The Toronto Raptors made several moves ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, let’s give immediate grades.
As 3pm and the NBA Trade Deadline passes us by, we now wait to hear from Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster. That may take hours, so let’s go through the reported moves the Toronto Raptors have made.
Brandon Ingram for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, picks: C+
In the grand scheme of everything the Raptors did ahead of the Trade Deadline, my opinion stays the same as it was this morning. It will be interesting to see how this works out in the grand scheme of things, but immediately I am skeptical of the salary implications this will have on the team vs the level of commitment Ingram has to re-sign in Toronto.
For this season in particular, the implications of this trade make the vision a little murkier. It really all depends if Ingram will play at any point for the rest of the season. If he doesn’t, the current track of “tanking” for a top draft pick continues, and you aim to hit reset next season with Ingram + new pick + current core. That I am down with.
If he does intend to play this season, do the Raptors then head into the 7+ area of the draft?
On first glance this trade is a little confusing, but I have hope it will turn into something good with time.
Davion Mitchell for PJ Tucker, pick, cash: A
This one is very much a roster/salary move. The Raptors will likely buy out Tucker, opening up a roster spot. They gain a pick from Miami, and you get some cash in your pocket.
Mitchell wasn’t getting minutes and the team was clearly prioritizing Jamal Shead’s development over him. Why waste the spot/money.
It’s one of those quick, beneficial trades that help with the book keeping side of things. Also doesn’t harm the team at all.
James Wiseman to the Raptors: Inconclusive.
This one came in at the final buzzer. The Pacers send Wiseman and cash to the Raptors, and the buzz going around right now is that the Raptors are sending back a pick. Pacers clear some salary/a roster spot. Wiseman is out for the season anyway with a torn Achilles.
The question here is if the team plans on keeping Wiseman, buying him out, or what this move was for. Until we know that, it gets an inconclusive grade. For now, he’s not playing though.
Chris Boucher stays: D
Bro. He’s probably going to walk in free agency, and now you get nothing for him? Not even a pick? I’m confusedddddd.