NBA Trade Deadline 2015: Raptors stand pat, while others make changes
By Brian Boake
The league’s General Managers finally heard their collective alarm clocks ringing, and closed a bunch of deals hours before the NBA trade deadline 2015 “curtain” came down. The Denver Nuggets, alone of the teams waking up to the realization that they are in jail, started their rebuild by trading Arron Afflalo (and Alonzo Gee – yawn) to the Portland Trail Blazers. While I made no bones about the fact I would have loved to see Arron as a Rap, that ship has sailed. He’ll do well in Portland; it’s the right fit for him at this relatively late stage of his career.
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The Miami Heat emptied their dressing room to make room for the Dragic brothers, but Phoenix ends up with two first-rounders. Both teams win.
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The Philadelphia 76ers have traded the reigning Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams, in a perplexing multi-team deal. The best player in the transaction, Brandon Knight, is now a Phoenix Sun, but the best long-term value may be Philly’s acquisition of the LA Lakers’ draft pick.
Nov 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Bucks 124-83. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Garnett, another object of a Rapture trade proposal, will do a victory lap with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
There were several deals which might kindly be described as minor. (Pablo Prigioni for two second-rounders? There’s an earthshaker!) Andre Miller was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Sacramento Kings for Ramon Sessions. Break up the Wizards. But how does any of this fluttering masquerading as acting affect our team of interest, the Toronto Raptors?
Um…not much. GM Masai Ujiri watched the parade pass by, then went home. Our team made no deals, which doesn’t bother me at all. None of our Atlantic Division rivals(?) made any blockbusters, unless you think Isaiah Thomas decamping to the Boston Celtics could threaten our run to a second consecutive title. I think the Detroit Pistons improved by adding Reggie Jackson from OKC. Given the unfortunate news about Chris Bosh’s health, the Pistons have a chance to bump the Miami Heat aside. There’s a considerable amount of separation between the East’s top five teams and the rest. Somebody’s got to snare those last three spots and sneak into the playoffs. Assuming Jackson is a success as his new team’s starting point guard (note: D.J. Augustin was moved), I can easily see a Raptors-Pistons first-round matchup.
One final thought: Raptor players got their wish. The organization has given even disappointing players like Terrence Ross more time to find themselves. Let’s hope he, Jonas Valanciunas and a few others, organize that search party right quick.