2024 NBA Trade Deadline — after the Raptors
WE Achieved It! The Raptors completed four deals before this afternoon’s deadline, bringing us to the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.
Let’s examine each decision the Raptors have made thus far in the trade season:
Prior to the Deadline
The two biggest deals of the season thus far are well known to Raptors fans, but just to be thorough, let’s go over them again.
The Raptors and the New York Knicks made a deal on December 30 to begin the season. They received RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round draft pick in return for sending O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the Big Apple.
They made another significant deal three weeks later on January 18, trading Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr., and three first-round draft selections.
After making their most significant moves,the Raptors’ strategy at the trade deadline was to make minor adjustments and then sell. They now held three possible first-round picks for this year’s draft, and Masai has indicated that they probably wouldn’t use them all.
Moving Deadline Day
The Toronto Raptors added another Canadian to their roster in the first trade of the deadline day. In return for Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji, Toronto sent Otto Porter Jr., Kira Lewis Jr., and one of those first-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz.
With Agbaji, a young, talented player, the Raptors now have the big man they need to spread the floor for Scottie Barnes to operate.
This deal has been divided into two sections: Porter Jr. is acquired in exchange for Olynyk, who gains a couple years of age and size. Then, in a weak draft, you receive a guy who is already promising in the first round pick (Lewis Jr. for Agbaji) rather than a guaranteed deal.
But the Raptors weren’t done yet. Not long later, it was reported that Spencer Dinwiddie would be traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dennis Schroder and Thad Young.
The Raptors declared shortly afterward that Dinwiddie will be waived. Thus, the main purpose of the transaction was to remove Young and Schroder from the team.
In an interview with Blake Murphy and Will Lou on The Raptors Show, Michael Grange said that Schroder felt “offended” by his benching in December. When it became apparent that the starting lineup needed to be adjusted, Gary Trent Jr. took the guard’s place. The guard began the season in the starting lineup.
That could have been his motivation, and he was moved.
There are currently two available roster spots for the Raptors.
Unexpected
Bruce Brown stayed put despite the widespread belief that he will be traded by the Raptors. Bobby Webster stated during his news conference following the deadline that the bids they received weren’t suitable for them, thereforeThey made it through.
Bruce Brown is a valuable trade asset for Toronto even into the summer because he has a team option for the upcoming season.
They also refrained from relocating Chris Boucher, despite rumors to the contrary. There are now three Canadians on the roster, and the Canadian remains on the team.
Gary Trent Jr., who will be a free agent this summer, was the final possible addition. The Raptors have chosen to keep an eye on Trent for the remainder of the season because it appears they are still interested in his future with this team.
Rosters: Pre- and Post-
Who is now on our roster, you ask? Likewise!
Here is a useful little chart that shows the Raptors roster before toDecember 30th versus. after the deadline of February 8th:
Roster Changes for Raptors
Raptors Pre-December 30, 2023 Roster:Post-2024 Roster of Raptors Final Date: In-In betweeners:
Siakam PascalBarnes ScottieChristian Koloko (chose not to play for the Knicks)
Anunoby, O.G.Jacob PoeltlKira Lewis Jr. (Out for Olynyk/Agbaji, traded IN for Siakam)
Barnes ScottieGary Trent Jr.Waived and traded in for Schroder/Young, Spencer Dinwiddie
Jacob PoeltlQuickley, Immanuel
R.J. Barrett and Gary Trent Jr.
Grady, Dennis Schroder Dick Grady Dick Garrett Temple Thad YoungChris Boucher
Garrett Temple, Ochai Agbaji, and Otto Porter Jr.Kelly Olynyk
Malachi FlynnBruce Brown
Treasured AchiuwaJalen McDaniels
Chris BoucherJordan Nwora
Jalen McDanielsLiberty Javon-Freeman (Two-way)
Koloko ChristianTwo-way Jontay Porter
Liberty Javon-Freeman (Two-way)Jontay Porter and Markquis Nowell (two-way)
Nowell Markquis (two-way)
With two spaces available on the roster right now, the Raptors plan to
Draft Selections
The Raptors now hold three or maybe four picks in the NBA Draft of 2024.
The first pick is a protected 1-3 pick from Indiana. Indiana is unlikely to receive a 1-3 draw because they appear to be contending this season, or at least in the running for the playoffs.
Next, the lowest-ranked first-round pick from OKC, Houston, the LA Clippers, or Utah will be selected.
Additionally, they will be receiving one second-round pick from Detroit.
The team also has their protected selection (1-6) from the Poeltl deal from the previous season. The pick belongs to San Antonio if the Raptors are not able to secure a 1-6 draw.
How Now?
The Raptors will try to restock their two open positions on the roster during the buyout/free agencymarket for agencies.
However, don’t expect them to go after any well-known figures. The group will give young players priority in order to accommodate Scottie Barnes in their new concept.
To locate some talent to monitor, they could search abroad or in the G-League.
Regardless, the remainder of the season will be spent observing the club play as much as possible as a unit. The front office will make the decisions about what to do and who to retain moving ahead.
And that’s it! Everything that the Raptors did before to the 2024 Trade Deadline!
More ideas will follow.