The Toronto Raptors made some moves on trade deadline day.
They first acquired Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kira Lewis Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and a 2024 first round draft pick.
The first-round pick Toronto is sending to Utah is the worst of OKC/LAC/HOU/UTA. It will be a late first-rounder.
It was a bit surprising to see the Raptors trade away a first-round pick since they are in a rebuild.
However, according to Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster the Raptors were never going to use all 3 or 4 picks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Webster then praised Agbaji saying “he’s hard working, high character, two-way player…we’re getting a young player with a lot of upside.”
He also called Olynyk a “steady hand” and said he will be an important veteran presence.
Webster was then asked if the Raptors were trying to keep the 2024 first-round pick (Top-6 Protected) that they owe to the San Antonio Spurs.
“We’re going to prioritize seeing this group play. If it ends up that were in the top-6, sure. But especially with the way the new NBA rules are, to try to game that doesn’t make sense,” Webster said.
Toronto then announced that they acquired Spencer Dinwiddie from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dennis Schroder and Thaddeus Young. In a corresponding move, the Raptors waived Dinwiddie.
Webster said waiving Dinwiddie was made in the interest of playing their young players down the stretch.
One of the names that was not moved by the Raptors was Bruce Brown Jr. It was widely believed that Brown was going to be on his way out of Toronto before the deadline.
Webster commented on why a deal did not get done for Brown.
“Had we gotten the offers we wanted for Bruce we would’ve done something. At the same time Bruce is 27, he has a really interesting contract, he provides a professionalism and toughness that we value, and there’s options with Bruce this summer,” said Webster.
Next up for Raptors
The trade deadline is now in the rear view mirror. The Raptors can now focus on their current group for the rest of the season.
The Raptors are now home after a six-game road trip and they will host the Houston Rockets.
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