Toronto Raptors: Weekly NBA news, including Trevor Ariza traded
Every Wednesday we take you beyond the Toronto Raptors, around the NBA. This week’s highlights include Trevor Ariza being traded, Spencer Dinwiddie being extended, and more.
The Toronto Raptors are 23-9 and in first place of the entire NBA, but what’s been happening around the rest of the league? We take a look in our weekly NBA update.
Trevor Ariza is traded
It was a long confusing road, but Trevor Ariza has officially been traded. Ariza was sent to the Washington Wizards for a package of Austin Rivers and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The trade was originally thought to be a three-way deal, including the Memphis Grizzlies. However, in one of the most bizarre trade stories in some time, it appears the communications broke down over which Brooks was in the deal.
The Grizzlies thought they were trading 29-year-old MarShon Brooks. The Suns thought they were trading 22-year-old Dillon Brooks. It turns out neither player was involved in the deal, and the Grizzlies ended up being cut out of the trade completely.
After being included in the deal as trade-filler, Austin Rivers was soon (or soon to be) cut from the Phoenix Suns. One of the teams rumored to be interested….. the Memphis Grizzlies.
Spencer Dinwiddie receives an extension
Spencer Dinwiddie has locked up his future with the Brooklyn Nets. One year after qualifying as a finalist for Most Improved Player of the Year and emerging as a starter-quality point guard, Dinwiddie signed a three-year $34-million extension with the Nets.
Just over $11 million per year is about right for a low-end starter in today’s NBA. Dinwiddie got paid $2 million extra per year for slightly more production and lower upside than Fred VanVleet. Dinwiddie also got a player option in the third year.
Jabari Parker pulled from the rotation
The Chicago Bulls have pulled Jabari Parker from the rotation. It was a short-lived experiment for Parker and the Bulls who signed a two-year deal this past offseason.
The Bulls have been an absolute disaster this season. However, at this point in time, Jabari Parker is not a winning player. He’s an inefficient chucker who doesn’t play a lick of defense. The former number two pick still has great upside, he’s just not worth much right now.
It seems like a matter of time before he is traded. The question is, “Who needs Jabari Parker at this time?”
Next. Holiday gifts for every Toronto Raptor. dark
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