Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards: Evaluating a Hypothetical Sign-and-Trade

By Andrew Bancroft June 28, 2023 33 mins read 435 Views

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The Lakers' Perspective: A Perfect Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers are actively seeking a point guard to strengthen their roster, either through free agency or the trade market. Among the potential targets, Fred VanVleet stands out as one of the top guards set to hit the free agency market this offseason. However, there is also a possibility of a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Raptors to bring VanVleet to Los Angeles. ESPN has crafted a hypothetical sign-and-trade scenario involving the Lakers, Raptors, and the Washington Wizards. Let's evaluate the trade details:

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Fred VanVleet

Toronto Raptors receive: Tyus Jones, Mo Bamba

Washington Wizards receive: Malik Beasley, 2030 Lakers first-round pick (top-10 protected, otherwise 2030 Lakers second-round pick)

From a Lakers perspective, this trade would be a perfect fit. VanVleet stands out as the most suitable point guard available in free agency, and the Lakers would be giving up very little to acquire him. Both Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba fell out of the Lakers' rotation in the previous season, and there are rumors suggesting that the Lakers have no intention of re-signing them. Including them in a sign-and-trade deal for VanVleet would be an incredible opportunity for the Lakers.

In addition to Beasley and Bamba, offering a 2030 first-round pick that is top-10 protected seems like a worthy sacrifice for securing VanVleet. He would bring much-needed shooting and facilitation capabilities to the Lakers' offense, complementing the tough, defensive-minded identity of the team. Overall, this trade deserves an outstanding A+ grade for the Lakers.

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The Raptors' Perspective: A Return and Potential Steals

The only reason the Raptors wouldn't receive an A+ grade in this trade is due to the potential loss of VanVleet. Currently, there is uncertainty surrounding whether VanVleet will re-sign with the Raptors in the upcoming offseason. However, a sign-and-trade scenario, similar to the Lakers', would allow the Raptors to obtain value in return for a player who could potentially leave in free agency without compensation.

By acquiring Tyus Jones and Mo Bamba, the Raptors would gain two players who have the potential to become absolute steals. Jones, an underrated point guard, demonstrated starter-level basketball during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies but was overshadowed by Ja Morant. Joining the Raptors would provide him with a better opportunity and situation to showcase his skills. Considering his age and potential, there is a possibility that Jones could surpass VanVleet's performance in the next few seasons. The Raptors also acquire Bamba, a 25-year-old center with the potential to further develop into a solid player. This trade for the Raptors deserves a commendable A- grade.

The Wizards' Perspective: Rebuilding with Caution

The Washington Wizards are currently in the midst of a rebuild. Therefore, it makes sense for them to potentially trade Tyus Jones shortly after acquiring him. Additionally, if this trade were finalized, the Wizards would most likely buy out Malik Beasley, leaving them with only the Lakers' 2030 first-round pick.

The Wizards' grade for this trade is a respectable B. The evaluation is influenced by the difficulty of assessing the value of a pick that is so far down the line. Moreover, there is a possibility that the Wizards could receive more valuable assets in exchange for Jones, as he is highly regarded around the NBA.

toronto raptors roster

While this trade would contribute to the Wizards' ongoing rebuild, it falls short in terms of maximizing their draft capital, especially considering the relatively low return they received for Bradley Beal. Overall, the trade would be decent for the Wizards but only deserving of a B grade.

The hypothetical sign-and-trade scenario featuring the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards presents favorable outcomes for all three teams involved. With the Lakers securing Fred VanVleet, the Raptors obtaining Tyus Jones and Mo Bamba, and the Wizards adding draft capital to their rebuilding process, it's a trade that shows promise and deserves attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Raptors' first playoff series won?

Toronto won their first-ever playoff series as they defeated New York 3-2 in 2001, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in franchise history under head coach Lenny Wilkens.

Was Vancouver home to an NBA team?

Vancouver does have an NBA team. The Vancouver Grizzlies existed in the city from 1995 to 2001. However, the team moved to Memphis Tennessee in 2001. Vancouver's basketball fans now support the Toronto Raptors. They are the closest NBA franchise to the city. There are also other professional basketball teams that play in and around Vancouver, including the BC Tigers of Canada's Elite Basketball League and Vancouver Volcanoes International Basketball League. Many amateur and semiprofessional teams play in different local leagues.

Vancouver has many recreational opportunities for basketball fans. For example, the Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association is a group that strives to connect former players from the team with each other and also bring awareness of basketball in British Columbia. This association organizes events like viewing parties for Raptors games or clinics to help young athletes develop their game.

The city's enthusiasm for basketball has not diminished following the departure from the Grizzlies. This community continues to support the sport through many different ways. Vancouverites are still passionate about basketball and continue to support the many initiatives of former players and other organizations that promote basketball in the city.

Who owns Toronto Raptors

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment owns the team. MLSE also owns the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS's Toronto FC, the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, the AHL's Toronto Marlies, and the Toronto Rock lacrosse team.

How did the Raptors win this year's NBA championship?

The Toronto Raptors made a trade for DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poltl on July 18, 2018. They also traded a 2019 protected draft pick and a DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs.

On February 7, 2019, Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors) and Delon Wright-C.J. Miles and a 2024 second-round pick from the draft to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol, another multiple All-Star and former Defensive Players of the Year. Jeremy Lin was signed shortly thereafter.

The Toronto Raptors had an extremely exciting offseason. Two major trades sent shockwaves through NBA. DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poltl were traded to the Raptors. A 2019 first-round draft selection (that was protected) was also traded to the San Antonio Spurs. In exchange, they got Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green (Spurs). Then they traded Jonas Valanciunas to the Spurs and Delon WrightC.J. Miles and a 2024 2nd-round draft pick to Memphis Grizzlies were traded for Marc Gasol--another All-Star, former Defensive Player-of-the-Year. These moves have put the Raptors in a strong position to challenge for the NBA title. Let's take a closer glance at each trade.

The trade for Kawhi Leonard was a risk-reward move for the Raptors. Leonard, who is coming off an MVP-caliber year, is one of the top-5 players in the league when he is healthy. His injury last season limited him to playing just nine games, and there is concern about his long-term physical health. But the Raptors decided that it was worth the risk, and they signed the deal. Leonard is healthy so far and has been playing at an All Star level. He's averaging 26 points per game, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and shoots 49% from the floor and 38% from three point range. If he can keep his health, he will give the Raptors a real shot at winning the NBA title.

Marc Gasol made a trade for Marc Gasol, but it was a very short-term one. Gasol is now in his 30s and clearly has reached his peak. However, he is still a very good player who brings valuable experience to a young Raptors team. He is averaging fifteen points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game. He shoots 45% from three-point range, while also shooting 45% from behind the arc. C.J. Wright and Delon Wright were young assets the Raptors traded. Miles to acquire Gasol, but they believe his experience will be invaluable come playoff time.

The Raptors got off to a 6-0 start, winning their 16th game on November 23rd (breaking their franchise record for the best start through 20 games with a 16-4 record); reaching 20 wins quicker than any time in their history when they won 24th game of the season on December 1st against Cleveland Cavaliers; breaking the franchise record for most points scored in franchise history after beating Washington Wizards 140-138 points after double overtime on January 13th. The Raptors were careful with Leonard and did not allow him to play more than 20 games during the season in order to avoid aggravating his injury. However, they managed to capture 2nd place in East, only trailing behind Milwaukee Bucks.

The Raptors went on to have a successful run in the playoffs, dispatching the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Leonard was named Finals Champion and the Raptors took home their first title.

The Toronto Raptors had an extremely successful offseason. It paid off big. The Raptors are well-positioned to be contenders over the next few years, with two All-Stars. They have proven that they are willing to take risks and make bold moves if it means creating a championship-calibre team. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up this success in the future.

Why did NBA leave Vancouver?

NBA left Vancouver because of a dispute with the City Council regarding arena financing. The City had planned to contribute $40 million toward the construction of a new basketball arena. It would have 12 luxury suites, two restaurants and a bar. To pay down existing debt, the City Council wanted the $60 million taxpayer money that the City Council would give to the team owner. This meant that the city had to borrow $200m to construct the arena. But the team owners would only have to pay back $20m. The city would have to pay the remainder of the loan back.

The City Council said they were willing to go ahead with the plan if the NBA agreed to stay at Rogers Arena until after the opening of the new facility. But the league refused, saying that the arena wasn’t large enough. Because it was too small, they didn't want anymore to play there. They felt that asking them to play in a smaller venue was unfair, especially since they weren't making any additional revenue.

The City Council then requested that the province step in to offer financial assistance. The province agreed to provide $150 million towards the project, but the City Council still needed another $100 million. At that point, the City decided to stop its plans and concentrate on building a new downtown arena.

What was the first year of existence of the Toronto Raptors in 1985?

The Toronto Raptors' first season in the NBA was a difficult one. Brendan Malone, who was then hired by Isiah as GM, became the head coach for the Raptors' 1995 franchise. They soon acquired many talented players through the draft and through trades. They beat the Chicago Bulls once, but overall finished with a 21 - 61 win-loss record.

In 1996, Toronto drafted Marcus Camby, who became Rookie of the Year and formed part of the starting line-up with Alvin Williams at point guard. Damon Stoudamire was traded later in 1997. Toronto made more roster changes over the years to ensure future success.

Despite all of these changes, the team struggled through its first few seasons in NBA. After a period of transition and rebuilding, Toronto finally made its first playoff appearance in 2000 but lost the series to the New York Knicks.

How many NBA teams are there in Canada?

As of 2001, the Toronto Raptors are the only Canadian NBA team. From 1995 to 2001, the Vancouver Grizzlies was an NBA team. They moved to Memphis and became known as the Memphis Grizzlies. Canada did have the Vancouver Grizzlies (and the Toronto Raptors) for a time, but there are no NBA teams in Canada. Canadians are avid basketball fans and often travel to the United States in order to catch games. Since 1995, the Toronto Raptors have been a well-known team and draw large crowds to their Scotiabank Arena home games. The NBA All-Star Weekend is attended by hundreds of Canadians each year. Canada is home to more than one NBA franchise, thanks to its population of 38 million. Many North American basketball enthusiasts have discussed the possibility of adding a second team. The Toronto Raptors will continue to be the only Canadian representative in the NBA.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), a professional league of basketball, is located in Canada. This league features six teams, including the Fraser Valley Bandits in Abbotsford, BC, Edmonton Stingers in Edmonton, Alberta, Guelph Nighthawks in Guelph Ontario, Hamilton Honey Badgers and Saskatchewan Rattlers in Saskatchewan. The Niagara River Lions are located at St. Catharines, Ontario. The CEBL currently operates Canada's sole professional basketball league.

From 2011 to 2020, there was a professional male basketball league called the National Basketball League of Canada. It had eight teams representing eight cities: Moncton (Moncton), Saint John, Cape Breton; Summerside, London; Windsor, Windsor, and Kitchener. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the NBLC to close its operations in 2020.

Canada also has junior basketball leagues, such as the Canadian National Basketball League (CNB), a semi-professional men's league based in Vancouver, BC. CNB includes teams from British Columbia (Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario). Another Canadian junior basketball league (CEDL), which mainly features teams from the Greater Toronto Area, is the Canadian Elite Development League (CEDL). AC) or the Canadian Youth Basketball League. These leagues provide opportunities for young basketball players to develop their skills while competing in a competitive environment.

Statistics

As predicted by analysts, the team easily secured a berth in the 2001 NBA playoffs with a franchise-high 47 wins. (en.wikipedia.org)
By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
In November of the 1996–97 season, Bitove sold his ownership interest in the team to Slaight for $65 million after Slaight had activated a shotgun clause in their partnership agreement,[32][33] giving Slaight 79 percent control of the team, [34] (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
After Thomas attempted to execute a letter of intent with Slaight to purchase the team failed, he resigned from his position in November and sold his 9 percent stake in the team to Slaight. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

bleacherreport.com

Raptors News: Toronto Unveils St. Patrick's Day Jerseys

jerseymuseum.org

Toronto Raptors Jersey History- Jersey Museum

raptorshq.com

basketball-reference.com

How To

How to get to a Toronto Raptors Game from Your Location

Toronto Raptors events take place at Air Canada Centre, (ACC), downtown Toronto, Ontario Canada. TTC Metro system takes you to ACC. Union Station takes about 30 minutes to get to ACC. Bay Street station is the nearest stop to ACC.

Bay street station is recommended if you want to reach ACC directly from Union Station. Follow the signs to ACC from there. Follow the signs to Bay Street station if you arrive at ACC in another direction.

Follow signs to the ACC starting at Bay Street Station.

The venue is accessible to people with disabilities. There are special seating areas for those who require wheelchair access. Sign language interpretation services are also offered by the ACC.

There is no parking charge at the ACC. However, there is limited street parking available nearby.

Resources:

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