Did the Raptors make a mistake passing on Drew Eubanks?

The Toronto Raptors made just a single swap before the NBA Trade Deadline, sending Goran Dragic to the Spurs while plucking Thad Young away from San Antonio. The trade also helped the Spurs relieve themselves of Drew Eubanks, who was one of their rotation big men for the last four seasons,

Any questions about Eubanks’ fit on this Raptors roster were quickly erased, as he was waived almost as soon as the trade was consummated. While he profiled as a somewhat reliable rebounder given his minutes allotment, Toronto didn’t appear to be sold on his offensive potential.

After averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this year, the Portland Trail Blazers took a flier on Eubanks via a 10-day contract. His play in that span has been so impressive that he is quickly cementing himself as a part of the Blazers’ short-term plan of attack.

Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Portland will sign Eubanks to a third 10-day contract after averaging 9.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in seven starts. The Blazers are giving him a longer leash than Toronto would have, but he is playing better than he ever did in San Antonio.

Should the Toronto Raptors have kept Drew Eubanks?

Given how inconsistent Khem Birch has been over the last few weeks and the injuries that have hampered Toronto’s frontcourt, could Eubanks have been a solid fix for a few weeks? Eubanks is making 59% of his shots and snagging nearly three offensive rebounds per game with Portland.

Toronto originally chose to fill Eubanks’ spot by signing DJ Wilson, but he was ditched in favor of a guard in Armoni Brooks. The former Rockets shooter has made quite the impression on Nurse, as he ended up starting over Dalano Banton in just his third game with the team.

While Brooks played very well in his first extended action, Eubanks appears to have shown he wasn’t being utilized properly in San Antonio. We need to see just a bit more of Brooks before we can say for sure that the Raptors made the wrong choice by getting rid of the Oregon State alum.

If nothing else, Eubanks’ success in Portland should be a feel-good story. An undrafted free agent who toiled for years in San Antonio finally has a spot where he feels comfortable. However, if he keeps playing like this, Toronto might start to wonder what would’ve happened if he stayed.