Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Raptors move Rudy Gay: dividends galore

By Brian Boake

Dec 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Patrick Patterson (54) of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after scoring a basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 128-86. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Patrick Patterson (54) of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after scoring a basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 128-86. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Masai Ujiri fixed by trade two mistakes of Bryan Colangelo, his predecessor as Raptors GM. First Andrea Bargnani was dumped, then Masai made this gem.

Every once in a while, one needs a jolt, which I received while considering the current roster of the Toronto Raptors. The impact of one trade, that of moving Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings, continues to reverberate.

THE Deal

On December 9, 2013, Masai Ujiri traded Rudy Gay plus spare parts (Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray) to the Sacramento Kings in return for Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Greivis Vasquez. On the surface, the deal was regarded as addition by subtraction. Rudy’s ball-sticking ways were not a fit with what the Raptors were trying to do offensively, and he was a defensive nonentity. But oh what amazing results have since occurred.

Sure, the only player left in a Raptors uniform is 2-Pat, but he’s the third-most used Raptor at over 28 minutes per game. Hayes provided little except cheerleading before leaving for nothing. However, Salmons was moved to Atlanta for Lucas Nogueira and Lou Williams. Could that be the Hawks’ worst deal ever? Salmons is out of the NBA. By extreme contrast, Sweet Lou won a Sixth Man of the Year award as a Raptor and might repeat now he’s with the Lakers (one wishes we had traded or resigned him rather than letting him walk, but you can’t keep everyone). And much to our great delight, the patience the Raptors have shown with Bebe Nogueira is starting to pay off. He’s now an essential member of the rotation as the backup centre.

More payback

Greivis Vasquez had some fine moments in a Raptors uniform, enough to entice the Milwaukee Bucks to trade for him on Draft Night of 2015. In return, the Raptors received Norman Powell (who was drafted #46 by the Bucks at the Raptors’ request, then immediately moved) and a 2017 conditional first-round pick.

Greivis was waived last month by the Brooklyn Nets, which I strongly suspect closes the book on his NBA career. If he can’t stick with those sad sacks, he’s done. Meantime, Norman has become a fan favourite in Toronto. He represents something of a pleasant problem for coach Dwane Casey, who can’t figure out how to effectively and regularly use him. Regardless, when Norman does play, good things happen.

Dec 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) reacts after his three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Toronto defeated the Celtics 101-94. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) reacts after his three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Toronto defeated the Celtics 101-94. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

As a direct result of that now-legendary trade, the Raptors have these assets:

  • Patrick Patterson
  • Lucas Nogueira
  • Norman Powell
  • a non-lottery first-round pick next summer

By contrast, the Kings have Rudy, who wants out by trade or walking, and the Hawks and Bucks have zilch. The Raps have compiled a 163-88 W-L record since that trade. We may wait a long time before we see Toronto make a deal with such astonishing and enduring payback.

More from Raptors Rapture

Home/Raptors News