RJ Barrett Linked to Multi-Team Trades Ahead of NBA Draft

· Yahoo Sports

The days leading up to the NBA Draft raise lots of attention because of the movement of current and future picks, along with players from team to team. Now just two days away from the Washington Wizards being on the clock with the No. 1 pick, rumors have begun to fly, and it’s not just minor trades.

When it comes to the Toronto Raptors, rumors are plentiful, but they like to be deliberate when they finally pull the trigger. Former executive Masai Ujiri was responsible for franchise-changing deals like trading for Kawhi Leonard and Brandon Ingram, along with trading away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. 

Visit biznow.biz for more information.

Toronto Raptors guard/forward Brandon Ingram (3) | © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Now that general manager Bobby Webster is in charge of basketball operations, he is still waiting to make his first big trade. He is responsible for drafting Collin Murray-Boyles last year, but also extending Jakob Poeltl through 2030. Two moves that will have a massive impact on the franchise, but in polar opposite ways.

Just before the Draft is set to go down, the latest rumor has a Raptors’ starter potentially on the move. According to Michael Scotto with HoopsHype, opposing franchises have their eyes set on Toronto native, RJ Barrett.

“Toronto Raptors swingman RJ Barrett has drawn trade interest in multi-team conversations,” said Scoto. 

This may appear to be a semi-irrelevant rumor, but in an article that’s dealing with news surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Tyler Herro, and more, there may be real traction with the former No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft being on the move. It’s important to note, though, that just because teams are interested in acquiring the former Duke Blue Devil doesn’t mean the Raptors are willing to part ways with him.

Barrett is coming off potentially the best year of his career thus far. He had a brutal stretch in the middle of the season where he lost his groove after playing just six games in almost two months due to separate knee and ankle injuries. However, he started the season playing like a top scorer, contributing 20 or more points in 10 out of 16 games.

Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (9) | © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

He followed that by ending the season as the Raptors’ No. 1 option with Ingram playing through injury before ultimately sitting out the remainder of their only playoff series. In the final seven games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 6-foot-6, 214-pound forward averaged 24.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, including a game-winning three-pointer to force Game 7.

Many expect at least one of Barrett, Poeltl, or Immanuel Quickley to be traded before the regular season begins because of the extensive amount of money they are owed. With Barrett having just one year left on his contract, he would be the easiest to move, but he may also be the most valuable to the Raptors’ future moving forward.

Read full story at source