Raptors make weird trade, send Dennis Schroder to Nets for Spencer Dinwiddie

The Toronto Raptors started the NBA Trade Deadline day off with a bang, acquiring Ochai Agbaji and Kelly Olynyk from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a package headlined by Otto Porter Jr. and a very late 2024 first-round pick. It appears as though trading Dennis Schroder was the next item up on the agent.

While Schroder signed a two-year contract to both replace Fred VanVleet and help install Darko Rajakovic's system, it became increasingly clear he was not a valued member of this team's long-term plans. The Brooklyn Nets were willing to take a flier on him, giving up a name like Spencer Dinwiddie to acquire the German stud.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Toronto traded Schroder and veteran power forward Thad Young to the Nets in exchange for Dinwiddie, one of the hottest trade names this season. The Raptors will no longer be obligated to pay Schroder's $13 million per season next year while getting an up-close look at a potential replacement in Dinwiddie.

Toronto Raptors trade Dennis Schroder to Nets for Spencer Dinwiddie.

Dinwiddie is averaging 12.6 points and 6.0 assists per game while making just 39% of his 3-pointers this season. While those numbers aren't overly impressive, the fact he averaged 17.0 points and 5.7 assists per game in the past five seasons hints at what sort of player the 6-6 dynamo could be.

Schroder, who began the year as the starting point guard before being moved to the bench, averaged 13.7 points and 6.1 assists per game this season while making 44% of his shots and 35% of his 3-pointers. This move brings an end to to his Raptors tenure, which was volatile to say the least.

Dinwiddie's three-year contract worth $18 million per season is set to expire. With Immanuel Quickley set to cash in during free agency, the Raptors could use every penny of available cap space. Dinwiddie is not a lock to leave next year, either, as Toronto could use a bigger guard with experience and solid defense.

This move helps get Young to a (slightly) better place while helping the Raptors free up some all-important cap space. While Schroder will need to be replaced, Toronto could get an advance look at a very interesting replacement in Dinwiddie if they choose to go the veteran route behind Immanuel Quickley.