NBA trade deadline: Raptors make two deals

TORONTO – The Toronto The Raptors tied up some cap space ahead of the NBA trade deadline by making deals with the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets.

Guard Ochai Agbaji and Canadian center Kelly Olynyk were released Toronto Utah junior guard Kyra Lewis, junior forward Otto Porter and a 2024 first-round pick on Thursday morning. Then, guard Dennis Schroeder and forward Thad Young were traded that afternoon from the Raptors to Brooklyn for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who was immediately released.

They were minor deals compared to the two Toronto made in the last six weeks: Defense Wing O.G. Anunabi and power forward Precious Achiuwa were traded to the New York Knicks on December 30 for guard Immanuel Quickley and Canadian wing RJ Barrett, while star forward Pascal Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers. In a blockbuster trade on Jan. 17 that involved Lewis, two other players and three first-round picks.

“We did some heavy lifting a month ago, so I think this trade deadline we cleaned up a lot of things and addressed some of the things we talked about after the OG and Pascal trades,” OVO general manager Bobby Webster said. Athletic Center approximately 30 minutes past the deadline. “Financially, we got some flexibility this summer with the Dennis trade.

“I think the heavy lifting was done in this December-January period, and this period has continued along the way.”

The Raptors held three first-round picks, and a possible four depending on how they finished in the final standings, before this summer's draft deadline. The lowest of those will be sent to the Jazz as part of a deal for Olympique and Agbaji.

“If we go top six or top six, especially with the new NBA rules, we have to try to play a meaningless game,” Webster said of the rare game. such as a reconstruction team decision Toronto trading a first-round pick.

“At the end of the day, it's going to be lottery balls, so I don't think there's going to be a ton of 'let's do this or that.' I think a big priority for us is to play this young group together.”

Olynyk, born Toronto but grew up in Kamloops, captained Canada's bronze-winning team at the FIBA ​​World Championships last fall. He and Ont. Barrett, who hails from Mississauga, is part of a core group of players who have committed to play for Canada at the Olympics in Paris in July.

“We love them as players first and foremost and it's great that they're Canadian, they want to be here,” Webster said. “I think that would be another piece that would go a long way on a lot of levels with players wanting to play here.”

Bruce Brown was one of the submissions Toronto Pacers for Siakam. Many analysts considered him a valuable trade commodity because he is a versatile role player on the floor and has a second-year team option on his contract.

Webster told the Raptors that Brown has not been offered any deals that meet his cap, but he could still be dealt before the June 26 draft.

“I think if you look around the league today, there haven't been any major moves,” Webster said. “There are probably some big macro elements in the NBA that drive teams to get there and make big deals.

“We're excited for Bruce, we're excited to continue with him.”

Olynyk averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists this season. Agbaji, the 14th pick in the 2022 NBA draft, averaged 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists.

“Hard-working, high-character, two-way player, fits the list of guys we've been looking for for years,” said Webster of Ochai Agbaji, whose first name is OH'-chai AH'-bah-jee.

Porter, 30, has been bitten by snakes since signing Toronto He signed a two-year contract in July 2022. He had season-ending surgery on his left foot last season after playing just eight games. He missed several weeks this season with a knee injury in January and hasn't played since returning.

Lewis only played in one game Toronto — picked up a personal foul with 1:33 left in the game — after he was traded to the Raptors as part of the Siakam deal. He averaged 2.8 points, 1.1 assists and 0.9 rebounds in 16 games this season.

Schroeder was signed to a two-year, $26 million contract Toronto 30 and was the starting point guard for the Raptors early in the season. Quickley's arrival from New York replaced Schroeder on the bench.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 8, 2024.