5 Raptors Trades For Christmas

Dec 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors beat 76ers 96 – 76. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ross for Stauskas (76ers)

The Raptors finally boast Canadian talent on their roster in the like of Cory Joseph and Anthony Bennett (I don’t count Jamaal Magloire’s victory lap in Toronto). So why not add the kid who could one day go shot for shot with Stephen Curry, Nik Stauskas? He has unlimited shooting range, but lacks the right situation to be effective. Spending his rookie campaign in Sacramento and now his sophomore season in Philadelphia, Stauskas has been searching for his opportunity to shine. He could very well find his stride in Toronto.

Stauskas averaged 4.4 points per game last season, and is averaging 7 PPG through 28 games this season. While these numbers might seem underwhelming at first glance, a truer indication of Nik’s potential is through his per-36 minutes stats where he’s averaged 10.5 PPG in both seasons. He also has passable defense, so he won’t be too much of a liability on that end, but under Casey’s system, he should be fine in Toronto.

The Deal:

This deal is very practical and works for both parties. For Toronto, it provides them with a floor spacer to take pressure off of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Teams looking to gamble and cheat on defense will get burned everytime, no matter who’s on the floor for Toronto. And worst-case scenario, should Stauskas not pan out right away, the team can always send him to the Raptor 905 D-League team.

For Philly, Ross gets to been the Boss. With a cast of young, talented big men in Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and the injured Joel Embiid, Ross could potentially be the straw that stirs the drink when the 76ers eventually rise from the ashes.

Next: 4. Raptors Get A Gag Gift