This trade may seem odd at first, but upon reflection, it isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility.
Both the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors share the unfortunate distinction of being among the worst-performing NBA squads at the moment, regardless of conference. The Wizards currently hold a record of 6-32, which places them 15th in the Eastern Conference and gives them the worst record in the entire league. Close behind, though not as miserable, are the Toronto Raptors, with a record of 9-31, securing the 13th seed in the East.
Considering these mediocre records, one might naturally assume that it would be in the best interest of both teams to conduct a fire sale on their veterans, maximizing their current assets for future draft capital or younger players.
You wouldn't be mistaken there.
Throughout the season, NBA Insider intel has suggested that this stance is at the top of both Washington's and Toronto's priority lists as they seek to assess the markets for their tradable veterans.
But what if both teams collaborated on a trade between themselves, exchanging veteran bigs? In Toronto's case, this could signal a reunion with a fan favorite returning for a second stint in the Six, much like Jakob Poeltl.
Raptors could welcome a reunion in trade for Jonas Valanciunas
That's right—rather than Washington's Jonas Valanciunas being traded to a hungry NBA contender, perhaps he could return to Toronto and strengthen its severely depleted frontcourt depth.
Valanciunas has consistently been a prominent name in trade discussions, with several playoff contenders, such as the Lakers and Warriors, being linked to the Lithuanian big man.
And for good reason. Currently under a team-friendly contract worth just over $30 million for three years, Valanciunas offers substantial size, rebounding, and interior offense to any NBA squad. While he may not be the most dependable big man for a postseason push—especially considering how his playoff minutes were often reduced during his time in New Orleans—he remains a solid presence in the NBA.
Recent reports, including one from Josh Robbins and David Aldridge at The Athletic, suggest that the maximum value the Wizards assign to Valanciunas on the open market is "two second-round picks."
That might sound a bit alarming to Raptors fans, especially since they will likely need those picks more than anything else. However, if the rumor mill is highlighting discussions about Valanciunas, it indicates that contenders like the Lakers are growing wary of the asking price.
These recent developments may dampen the Valanciunas sweepstakes, providing Toronto with an opportunity to propose a favorable trade. While the Raptors seem destined for the lottery this season, strategic offseason moves and roster adjustments could quickly elevate them back to the playoff contention they long for.
It doesn't get any better of a backup center than Jonas Valanciunas. Fortunately, Toronto possesses the assets necessary to make a deal happen. While it may require some convincing, the Raptors could consider packaging their diminishing stretch big, Kelly Olynyk, along with a valuable second-round pick in a future draft to acquire Valanciunas.
It may sound crazy, but consider the Raptors' track record from previous seasons. Last year, they sacrificed a draft pick to acquire Olynyk and Agbaji, during a time when it seemed like all draft picks were untouchable. A couple of seasons before that, they relinquished another pick to offload Goran Dragic in a trade for Thaddeus Young.
While the Raptors are sure to safeguard their lottery capital, second-round picks aren't necessarily a guaranteed barrier to their involvement in trade discussions.
Is it genuinely the best decision for both parties? Probably not. However, is there a hypothetical scenario in which such a trade could occur? Absolutely. Raptors and Wizards fans will need to stay patient as they await the upcoming developments for their teams, with the NBA trade deadline fast approaching.