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Raptors’ all-time starting 5: Players who never made playoffs in Toronto

By Tyler Watts

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 04: Head coach Damon Stoudamire of the Pacific Tigers (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 04: Head coach Damon Stoudamire of the Pacific Tigers (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors, Shawn Marion (Photo by: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

SF: Shawn Marion

Did you know Marion played for the Raptors? The Matrix is best known for his time with Phoenix Suns where he became a four-time All-Star playing off Steve Nash. He spent his first eight years in Phoenix before being traded to the Miami Heat in 2008 for Shaquille O’Neal.

His stay in Miami lasted just one year, as they dealt him to Toronto in Feb. of 2009 with Marcus Banks for Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, and two draft picks. The Raptors were 21-34 and were not making the playoffs. They saw their chance to acquire some cap flexibility, and Toronto jumped at it.

Shawn Marion was not on the Toronto Raptors for long.

Marion and his goofy jump shot lasted just five months with the Raptors before he was sent to Dallas as part of a sign-and-trade in July. Toronto picked up three role players in the deal, but the Mavericks got the final laugh as Marion helped them win the championship in 2011.

Shawn Marion had an unmemorable 27-game tenure with the Raptors, where he averaged 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35.3 minutes per contest. Toronto finished 33-49 in the 2008-2009 season, and they used their lottery pick to select DeMar DeRozan, so fans know they have zero regrets about either trade involving The Matrix.