The Toronto Raptors needed to make a move at the trade deadline, as they had to fortify a bench that was among the worst in the league. By finding a way to deal away Goran Dragic, Masai Ujiri and Nick Nurse could finally get one more player that could help get the starters some extra rest.
While Dragic is a 35-year-old impending free agent, several contending teams had an interest in him. Ultimately, Toronto decided to shun those contenders, instead deciding to pry an experienced playmaking power forward away from a rebuilding team that has no use for his services.
Shams Charania is reporting that the Raptors agreed to trade Dragic to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Thad Young. Toronto sent their 2022 first-round pick to San Antonio while also acquiring Drew Eubanks and a 2022 second-round pick that belonged to Detroit. That pick is currently No. 31 overall.
While the Raptors had to part with a potential Top 20 pick in exchange for the Young-Eubanks package, they managed to get back an early second-round pick as well as two players that should slide right into the rotation.
The Toronto Raptors are trading Goran Dragic to the San Antonio Spurs for Thad Young, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2022
The Toronto Raptors traded Goran Dragic for Thad Young, Drew Eubanks.
Young, 33, is averaging 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game on 58% shooting this season. Young has averaged at least 10.3 points per game in each of the last 12 seasons, showing that the veteran has been one of the most consistent power forward scorers in the game over the last decade.
Just one year ago, Young was averaging 12.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists with the Bulls. Yet another 6-8 versatile defender that can defend in the paint or on the perimeter, Young should get a heavy dose of minutes as soon as arrives in Toronto.
Thad Young will bring solid defence across a couple positions, playmaking, and a veteran presence in the locker room. Has a good relationship with OG Anunoby as well. He'll represent a good return for Dragic imo.
— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) February 10, 2022
Eubanks, who was an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State in 2018, has spent the last four seasons as a backup for the Spurs. Averaging 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game, Eubanks should be able to compete with Khem Birch for minutes off of the bench.
Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Spurs intend to buy Dragic out, with teams like the Bucks, Bulls, and Mavericks all showing interest in him. Raptors fans should be thrilled with the return, as they essentially added a proven scorer to their bench without surrendering any draft capital.
Ujiri was handed a disgruntled point guard who had no intention of playing for the Raptors and he managed to turn it into an established veteran finisher and defender with postseason experience.
WIth the Dragic era officially over, Raptors fans can take solace in the fact that Goran helped bring Young to town.