Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal 

Do the Toronto Raptors need a big man? It’s been a common question surrounding this team lately, and it doesn’t have a clear answer. 

In 2021-22, the team frequently featured Pascal Siakam at the 5. As a result, the Raptors played a philosophically interesting brand of basketball. They regularly featured several playmaking wings on the floor at all times. It was fun, but it wasn’t wildly successful, either.

The Raptors made the playoffs but never looked like a serious threat to win their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, either. 

Of course, pinning that on size could be an oversimplification. The Raptors dealt with injuries and leaned hard on a rookie in Scottie Barnes anyway. With that said, a big body to wrestle with Joel Embiid may have been helpful. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Toronto Raptors Updates

This deal has them landing one. Ayton has developed into a strong defensive big – he’s a good rim protector who can survive in space when needed as well. The Raptors will miss Anunoby, but landing Crowder will offset some of that loss as well. 

Are the Suns getting enough back here to make up for the loss of Ayton?