Toronto Raptors: 5 most interesting trade deadline deals in Raptors history
By Jason Mills
Raptors deadline deal No. 3: Alvin Williams, 1998
The 1997/98 season has to be categorized as the worst in Raptors history. It resulted in general manager Isiah Thomas resigning from the team over a failed bid to buy ownership of the team and managements’ failure to allow trades for talent like Shawn Kemp.
What may not have registered with management at the time was that losing Isiah Thomas would cause an exodus of talent at all levels from the Raptors organization. Not yet three full seasons into their existence, the Raptors would lose not only Thomas but head coach Daryl Walker and every significant player on the team wanted out.
In a six-player deal, Stoudamire would be dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent, Kenny Anderson, and Alvin Williams. Neither Trent nor Anderson would spend much time in Toronto after the trade.
Alvin Williams became a star with the Raptors
The rookie Williams, however, would stay and become a major part of the Raptors rebuild and first-ever playoff appearances between 2000-2002. He would play in 18 playoff games, averaging 12.5 points and 4.3 assists per game during that time. Williams was a major member of the supporting cast that helped Vince Carter in that era.
Williams, whose Raptors’ career was plagued by knee injuries, was a clutch fourth-quarter performer who played great defense. He would spend nine and a half seasons in Toronto. However, he did not play the 2004-05 season due to injury and had his best season in 2002/-3 when he played in 78 games averaging 13.5 points and 5.3 assists per game.
Williams only had three seasons in which he played in 70 or more regular-season games and just 59 over his final four seasons. His acquisition still in 1998 via trade paid off well for the Raptors, and the point guard is one of the most beloved Raptors of all-time.