How This Trade Impacts Toronto Raptors
Parting with Fred VanVleet would not be an easy choice for the Toronto Raptors. As previously mentioned, he was a key member of their NBA Finals run and is still 27-years-old with a favorable contract.
The New Orleans Pelicans would need to genuinely entice the Raptors into making a trade that includes VanVleet. In this scenario, parting with Jonas Valanciunas, Kira Lewis Jr., and Nickeil Alexander-Walker would give the Raptors plenty of incentive as they look to re-tool around Pascal Siakam.
A lot of this trade depends on how the Raptors view the long-term potential of Kira Lewis Jr. and their confidence in the talent they have at the center position. The Pelicans are high on his potential, but a crucial part of this trade working would be the Raptors’ perception of him, too.
Valanciunas is entering the final year of his current contract, and that factors into things as well. There’s no guarantee he returns, but there isn’t a commitment to the center position beyond the 2021-22 season if things do not work out.
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There is some intriguing potential for Nickeil Alexander-Walker as a player with his scoring ability. The Raptors could benefit from adding his skill-set into the mix as well.
