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Toronto Raptors: Why Chris Paul going to the Suns helps the Raptors

By Alexandro Fidanza

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2019 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 - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2019 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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This is the exact type of trade the Toronto Raptors and their fans want to see.

We got our first major Woj Bomb, as the trade moratorium finally came to an end today at noon. Chris Paul will be heading to the Phoenix Suns for a pretty significant haul. If you’re a Toronto Raptors fan, this is great news for a couple of reasons.

Suns were one of the potential landing spots for VanVleet

The Phoenix Suns were one of the three teams who were interested in Fred VanVleet alongside the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. With Chris Paul in Phoenix now, this eliminates what was a potential landing spot for VanVleet.

Out of those three teams, the Suns were the only team that looked like a winning team. This might facilitate VanVleet’s decision-making since the other two teams are nowhere near being a playoff team — or at least a good playoff team.

This doesn’t mean Fred VanVleet will re-sign with the Raptors with the Suns out of the table. It just means that VanVleet loses some leverage in negotiations and the expectation is that the Knicks and Pistons are not as attractive places to play for.

Fred VanVleet, 26, will be looking to get paid this offseason as he mentioned on JJ Redick’s podcast. So any move that removes a suitor for VanVleet, is a move that helps the Toronto Raptors.

Chris Paul staying in the West also helps the Eastern Conference be more open for the Toronto Raptors

The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks were among the two teams who were interested in acquiring Chris Paul. Surely, if he joined one of those two teams, their chances at a championship would significantly increase. For the Raptors, it would decrease.

With the Toronto Raptors being just one game away from the Eastern Conference last year, it is expected they run it back. With Chris Paul staying in the West, that keeps the East still open — at least for now.

Next. Toronto Raptors: Looking at a potential Kyle Lowry to L.A. Lakers trade. dark

Now, we’ll just have to wait and see what else happens. There’s still a lot going on in the NBA, and this is hopefully the first of many moves that help the Raptors case in re-signing VanVleet.

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