Raptors Rapture
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Hypothetical Raptors trade with every team: Eastern Conference edition

By Mike Bossetti

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 19: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 19: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 9: Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 9, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 9: Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 9, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

New York Knicks receive: Norman Powell, 2019 Raptors 2nd round pick

Toronto Raptors receive: Courtney Lee

Why the Knicks say yes:

Courtney Lee is a good player who can help win NBA games. Winning NBA games is not something the New York Knicks should be trying to do now. With Kristaps Porzingis potentially missing the first half of next season due to injury, the Knicks are going to be in the lottery. (They were probably going to be in the lottery anyway, but this helps seal it).

If you are going to be in the lottery, you might as well be at the bottom (top?) of it. Norman Powell is a young player with a relatively high ceiling. The Knicks are better off taking a swing at Powell than keeping a consistent veteran presence. Add in a second round pick and it pushes the deal over the top.

Why the Raptors say yes:

As mentioned earlier, Courtney Lee is a good player who can help win NBA games. He provides a dose of shooting that the Raptors could certainly use and provides veteran leadership.

Lee is C.J. Miles with a more defensive focus. Nurse has mentioned repeatedly his desire to be more creative defensively, Lee helps the team do so.