The Raptors moving Ochai Agbaji shows Toronto's faith in the young guard

While some traded a very late first-round pick from the Toronto Raptors to the Utah Jazz, the multi-player trade to acquire veteran big man Kelly Olympique was designed with the intention of landing the former Kansas State defensive prospect. star Ochai Agbaji.

Originally sent to Utah from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster Donovan Mitchell deal, talent and pure athletic ability have never been an issue with Agbaji. Olympique is well aware of the unique physical talent Toronto acquired in the trade, and he knows what kind of player Agbaji can be when he hits his stride.

“He's one of the most physically gifted players I've ever seen,” Olympique said, via Sports Illustrated's Aaron Rose. “I've never seen someone turn their back to jump high. He jumps higher than a lot of guys.”

Raptors GM Bobby Webster called Agbaji a “hard-working, high-character, two-way player” who sounds like the type of player Toronto has been trying to acquire over the past few seasons. It's a little raw right now. , Agbaji's talent on both ends was evident to both Jazz and Raptors fans.

Agbaji's 35% 3-point percentage, well below what he shot at Kansas, took another dip when he went 0-5 in his debut against Cleveland. While fixing his shot will be key to getting him back on track in Toronto, Agbaji has shown many of the qualities that make him such a valuable prospect.

Agbaji is one of the best young shooters in the league when it comes to finishing at the rim, and he went straight to the basket and scored several of his eight points. At 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan, his defense is undeniable, and he's worked hard to flex his muscles in limited time.

Toronto appears to be using Agbaji on the wing rather than as an old-school shooting guard, as Rajakovic's nine-man rotation surrounds Ochai with his old Olympic teammate, veteran switch Bruce Brown and another former Jayhawk in rookie Grady Dick. .

Agbaji is a bit of a work in progress, but Toronto believes he's close to breaking out, and they'll value what he can do over the next few seasons rather than what can be achieved by adding another developmental player late in the first round. .