Grade the Trade: Raptors add former All-Star for free in latest Bleacher idea

Laying out the trade details

The Golden State Warriors were one of the most expensive teams in NBA history this season but didn't even make the playoffs. Owner Joe Lacob has always been willing to bankroll an expensive team to field a contender, but it's obvious the Warriors were not at that level this season. Heading into the summer it seems obvious they will look to significantly decrease their team salary.

That could happen by waiving Chris Paul, letting Klay Thompson walk in free agency or trading one of their existing salaries. One player sure to be a part of trade conversations is Andrew Wiggins, who was an All-Star as recently as 2022 and was the team's second-best player in their playoff run to the 2022 title. Since then he has dropped off significantly, missed significant time due to personal issues, and as such could be on the chopping block for the Warriors.

That's where the Toronto Raptors come in. Wiggins is a Toronto native and will be making $26.3 million next season. The Raptors could afford to take Wiggins directly into their cap space, clearing that money off of the Warriors' books.

Bleacher Report recently ran an article with one trade idea for each team that missed the playoffs, and they saw the connection between the Raptors and Warriors. Here is the trade that they laid out:

The Warriors would clear a lot of salary in this deal, giving them the flexibility to make a different trade with Chris Paul's contract and still come in under the second tax apron. Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga can fill in a lot of the space left vacant by Wiggins departing.

Does this deal make sense for Toronto?