Raptors Pick Trayce Jackson-Davis for Frontcourt Depth

Summary:

• The Toronto Raptors acquired Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Golden State Warriors for a second-round pick. 
• The team added depth in the frontcourt while staying below the luxury tax.
• The move was part of a busy trade day that also brought Chris Paul to Toronto, though he may not suit up.

The Toronto Raptors added some frontcourt help on Wednesday, picking up forward Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a second-round pick originally belonging to the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The move fits neatly with what Toronto has been trying to do this week: looking for depth up front and some insurance in case injuries hit. 

Below the Luxury Tax

Toronto checked in on several other options around the league, including Yves Missi in New Orleans, Day’Ron Sharpe in Brooklyn, and Goga Bitadze in Orlando. In each case, though, the price was a first-round pick. The Raptors weren’t willing to go there.

Instead, they landed Jackson-Davis for a second-rounder they picked up from Miami in last year’s Davion Mitchell trade. The deal also helps Toronto stay below the luxury tax, another priority for the front office as the deadline approaches.

The 25 year-old, who in his third NBA season after playing college basketball at Indiana is on a team-friendly contract, is making $2.2 million this season while looking at a $2.4 million team option for next year. This offers the Raptors some flexibility moving forward.

This year in the Golden State, Jackson-Davis appeared in 36 games and averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per night. His role was even bigger last season, when he played in 62 games, started 37 of them, and put up 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. 

Interestingly, Jackson-Davis was originally drafted in the second round by Washington before being moved to the Warriors for cash considerations shortly after draft night. Now, he gets a fresh start with a Raptors team still pushing for playoff positioning.

More Moves for Toronto

The trade was also the second move of a busy Wednesday for Toronto. Earlier in the day, the Raptors sent guard Ochai Agbaji and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team deal involving the Clippers. 

That transaction brought Chris Paul to Toronto, though Charania reported the Raptors are not expected to have the 40-year-old point guard report to the team and could look to move him again before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.

On the court, Toronto came up just short Wednesday night, losing 128-126 to the Timberwolves at home. The loss dropped the Raptors to 30-22 on the season, which still has them sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference.