Toronto Raptors: 5 most interesting trade deadline deals in Raptors history
By Jason Mills
The 2021 NBA trade deadline is approaching rapidly, and the Toronto Raptors have been named in a fair share of the gossip, as their losing streak has Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell among the names that could be dealt in the next few days.
Granted, the COVID-19 disaster that hit the team right before the All-Star Break has negatively affected the Raptors lineup’s full availability for several weeks now. Despite that, Toronto has been pitiful over the last few weeks.
Now, out of playoff contention and several games under .500, the Raptors look closer to selling than they ever have before. This whole process has brought upon one of the most desperate eras in the last decade of Raptors baseball.
While anticipation and expectation grow ahead of the trade deadline, here is a look at the five most interesting mid-season deals the Raptors have ever made.
These are the 5 most interesting trade deadline deals in Toronto Raptors history
Raptors deadline deal No. 5: Doug Christie, 1996
The Raptors franchise began to play in 1995 with an expansion roster that was not built to win. However, that did not stop Isiah Thomas from building something greater. His first big move, misunderstood at the time, was the 1995 drafting of “Mighty Mouse” Damon Stoudamire, a 5-10 point guard. Stoudamire would go on to become Rookie of the Year in 1996.
However, it was a February trade, four days before the trade deadline, when Thomas acquired Doug Christie along with Herb Williams from the New York Knicks, that had a major impact. Christie alone did not immediately turn the Raptors fortunes, around as they would win 21 games their inaugural season.
Doug Christie is one of the best defenders in Toronto Raptors history
His inclusion on the Raptors’ roster would pay dividends in the 1999/00 season. Christie was a fast, quick, and defensively sound guard and played a large role in the Raptors’ first-ever playoff appearance.
It didn’t end well as it resulted in a three-game sweep at his former team’s hands, the New York Knicks. Christie would average 10.1 points, 2.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 32 games during the 1995/96 season.