This Raptors-Pelicans trade sends Fred VanVleet to New Orleans

The Toronto Raptors are not going to suddenly fall out of the rumor mill, as teams from all around the league will be calling Masai Ujiri and trying to convince him to part ways with one of his starters. Given his contract situation, several contenders and rebuilders alike may consider Fred VanVleet as a one-year rental or long-term fix.

While his 38% field goal percentage has helped Raptors fans turn on him and make him less desirable as a long-term cornerstone, teams around the league could benefit from adding an experienced winner and two-way playmaker, especially in the wide-open Western Conference.

The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the best big threes in the West, as Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum might be good enough to help them come out of the conference as the top dog. However, they have a surplus of tradeable assets that can be used to add to an already strong roster.

The Raptors might be able to get as big a haul from New Orleans as they will from any other team in the league due to their treasure chest of draft picks. Likewise, the Pelicans might be able to supercharge their offense in a very unique fashion by adding VanVleet.

This Toronto Raptors-New Orleans Pelicans trade ships Fred VanVleet.

The Pelicans may have a very small backcourt between VanVleet and McCollum. Still, the length elsewhere on the roster and the muscle Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas bring to the paint could help offset that.

Zion and Ingram will take this team deep into the postseason, but VanVleet’s experience and shooting will be invaluable to a young team trying to find its way in the playoffs.

Daniels, the prize of the deal and former No. 8 overall pick, was born to play point guard for the Raptors. A potential triple-double threat who stands as a legit 6-8 and has solid efficiency (44% from the field, 35% from 3-point range), Daniels could be a long-term solution at point guard.

Murphy is a knockdown 3-point shooter with a 6-9 frame that should blend in well with Toronto’s ultra-switchable vision. Graham is salary filler who has regressed hard this season, but he might be able to provide a more experienced backup point guard alternative than Flynn.

New Orleans will be open for business, as they have more tradeable first-round picks than most teams due to the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday deals.

The Raptors would send VanVleet to a team built to win now with a core of young players that need Fred’s leadership, while New Orleans would help Toronto retool on the fly with the return package.