Toronto Raptors: 2 trades that send Kyle Lowry to the Pelicans

Trade No. 2: Kyle Lowry helps Toronto get younger.

The real prize in this deal is Hayes, a third-year center with the shot-blocking potential and athleticism to instantly become a starter in this league. The Raptors will, unfortunately, have to be saddled with the Bledsoe contract in this deal.

Bledsoe, acquired in the Jrue Holiday swap, put up his worst numbers since his time as a backup with the Clippers. Bledsoe’s contract could pay him as much as $37 million in the last two years. In order to both clear space for Lowry and get rid of the contract, Griffin will need to attach

Eric Bledsoe could help the Raptors get a draft pick.

Attaching a first-round pick to a bad contract like this has proven to be a very reliable way of getting rid of unwanted deals. With New Orleans in possession of tons of draft capital due to the Holiday and Anthony Davis trades, they will have the freedom to send a pick or two Toronto’s way in order to get off of Bledsoe and his deal.

At the very least, the Raptors will get a serviceable bench guard, a new starting center, and a first-round pick that could be used to draft another contributor. If Toronto wants to turn the page on the Lowry era, this move would get him paid, help New Orleans offload an unwanted contract, and improve the long-term outlook of the Raptors.