Revisiting the top 5 trades in Toronto Raptors history

5. Greivis Vasquez to the Milwaukee Bucks

This effects of this trade are still certainly being felt for the Toronto Raptors – and that is only a good thing. Greivis Vasquez was a pretty important rotational figure for the Raptors in his two seasons with the team, averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 143 appearances, shooting 41-percent from the field and 38-percent from three.

There was the not-so-small matter of Vasquez also coming up big in the playoffs too, but when the Milwaukee Bucks came calling before the 2015 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors saw the chance to add some future assets to the team – including a 2017 lottery-protected first-round pick – as well as shed some salary.

Instead, this trade turned into one for the best in Raptors’ history. With the 46th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors selected Norman Powell. Two years later, they picked up OG Anunoby with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Powell struggled with inconsistency in his early years but always showed the signs of being a good player and had some big moments in the playoffs too. Now? He’s one of the leading scorers for the Toronto Raptors after putting forward a career-year in the 2019-20 season, averaging 16.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 50-percent from the field and 40-percent from three. He has finally found his groove.

And there’s OG Anunoby, who is just 22 years old but already one of the games elite wing defenders. After a rocky sophomore season, Anunoby has bounced back in his third season, averaging 10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, shooting 51-percent from the field and 38-percent from deep.

This trade is a success story for the Toronto Raptors already, but both are still young and are improving with every passing game. The ceiling is even higher, and it only cost Vasquez, who only played 23 games for the Milwaukee Bucks.