The Toronto Raptors made the same maneuver before. However, despite sitting low in the standings, they went to the well a second time! In back-to-back years the team has acquired a big man. They look to increase their size and presence down low as they continue to fight for a play-in position. But will it be enough?
Toronto Raptors Moving Around Pieces
According to ESPN’s Ardian Wojarnowski, a deal involving moving parts occurred right before the trade deadline. The Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors pulled off a deal that involved four players and a draft pick. Firstly, the Canadian team includes the acquisition of Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji, and a first-round pick for the upcoming draft. Conversely, Utah receives Otto Porter Jr. and Kira Lewis Jr. in the deal.
Although a first-round pick seems heavy at first, it will be the lowest selection from three teams. Between the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, LA Clippers, and the Utah Jazz, Toronto will receive the worst of one of those team’s first-round picks.
Moreover, the team is moving off of Otto Porter Jr, who was originally a 2013 Washington Wizards draft pick. While the product out of Georgetown will now be moved. Despite being the number three pick of his draft class, this will now be his sixth team of his NBA career.
IMA DEFENSE GUY SO CAN SOMEONE LMK IS THIS REGULAR KELLY OLYNYK DEFENSEEEEEE OR NAH pic.twitter.com/98SjcP8GwE
— Jollof DeRozan (@JollofDerozan) February 8, 2024
Although the Raptors are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, there is hope. Also, the latest move shows that they are unwilling to give up on the season. They are within striking distance (four games) of the needed 10th seed. But how will this move realistically help them?
Toronto Raptors Fight To Stay Alive
They sit only four games back of a play-in position. Additionally, if they can reel off some wins, and others take a bit of a tumble, they may be able to advance up the seedings.
There is currently a six-game difference between them, and the nine-seed, the Chicago Bulls. Again, they’ll need to run things around quickly, but completely writing them off at this point would be a mistake. Additionally, with the fortunes of other teams not looking as good as earlier, the Toronto Raptors saw a chance to sneak into playoff conversations again.
This is not the first time the franchise has elected to move on from a first-rounder for a center.
Toronto Raptors Last Year
Last year, the Toronto Raptors traded back for Jakob Poeltl for a pick from the San Antonio Spurs. That pick remains top-six protected. However, it served as a sort of reunion. Poeltl departed the Raptors, along with the DeMar DeRozan deal that brought in Kawhii Leonard.
However, he has since returned and continues to put up strong numbers and is a solid defensive presence. But, injuries have limited him, and he has not been able to play in all of the games this year. Acquiring Olykyk offers depth and a good replacement option should Poeltl go down again for a lengthy amount of time.
The Toronto Raptors are looking to get better and be good enough to make some noise in the play-in tournament. This move undoubtedly helps.
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Gabriel Enjoys all things sports! Football, soccer, basketball, volleyball. You name it! Huge fan of the Nebraska Huskers and New England Patriots. Even bigger advocate of running the football!
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