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Toronto Raptors: Weekly NBA news, including Jimmy Butler being traded

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 24: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball as Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 24: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball as Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Every Wednesday we take you beyond the Toronto Raptors, around the NBA. This week’s highlights include Jimmy Butler being traded, Carmelo is done in Houston, and more.

The Toronto Raptors are 12-2 and first place in the NBA, but what’s been happening around the rest of the NBA? We take a look in our weekly NBA update.

Jimmy Butler traded to Philadelphia 76ers

The deal we have all been waiting for. The Jimmy Butler saga is now officially over. Jimmy Butler, along with forgotten first-rounder Justin Patton (Patton has suffered two foot-injuries early in his career), were traded to the 76ers for Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and a second round pick.

After months of stalemates and negotiations, the Timberwolves got back a deal that was….. less than ideal.

For Philadelphia (our main concern here) the trade provides a huge upgrade in talent, even if the fit isn’t perfect. Philadelphia now has three of the top-25 players in the league and did so without sacrificing the farm. They’ll certainly need to add some shooting on the margins, but those players are much easier to find than top-15 guys.

You can read more about the Butler trade and how it impacts the Raptors here.

Carmelo Anthony out in Houston

Just as the Jimmy Butler saga is over in Minnesota, the Carmelo Anthony experiment is over in Houston. After just 10 games, the Rockets have reportedly decided they will part ways with the 16-year veteran.

Houston has struggled mightily this year, and Carmelo is far from the root of their problems. He also wasn’t solving any of those aforementioned problems.

Melo is out as the team needed to find minutes for two-way player, Gary Clark. Clark has performed well in limited time with Houston, but he probably is not the type of player Melo envisioned losing time too.

At this point in his career, Melo is an inefficient scorer and unplayable defender. If Toronto is smart, they’ll stay far far away.

Warriors start to beef

The biggest obstacle in the Toronto Raptors path to an NBA Championship is the Golden State Warriors. That obstacle dealt with some controversy on Monday night.

Draymond Green and Kevin Durant got into a visible verbal altercation at the end of the Warriors loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Since that time, it has been reported the fight carried into the locker room and that Draymond Green was suspended one game for his actions.

In the long-run, this will probably have no impact on the Warriors dynasty. Probably. 

Next. Three biggest surprises so far this season. dark

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