Raptors hit a soul-crusher as recent foe steals their perfect trade target

"After last night's affair, it was reported that Toronto shipped out a second-round pick to acquire Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Golden State Warriors. It's far from the ideal big that many fans had hoped Toronto would explore trading for, but it addresses that glaring need nonetheless. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves can bask in the glory of adding gutsy Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, who they acquired in exchange for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks."

"After what was a wild turn of events for Toronto on February 4 - letting a game falter so dramatically against the Minnesota Timberwolves - it definitely hurts to see that same team escape like bandits with someone I thought should've been on the Raptors' radar. I get that Toronto is trying to be cost-efficient at all costs now, ducking the tax and limiting expenses, but you mean to tell me their salary-dumping efforts for Ochai Agbaji couldn't have been done with the Bulls instead?"

"Toronto could have just used the two second-rounders they dealt - one to get rid of Agbaji and the other to acquire Jackson-Davis - for a move with higher implications, such as acquiring Dosunmu. I wrote about the allure of both Dosunmu and another talented Bulls guard on an expiring deal, Coby White, who was later traded to the Charlotte Hornets in yesterday's trade buzz."

The Raptors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves and then traded a second-round pick to acquire big man Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Golden State Warriors. The acquisition addresses a need for size and rim protection but is unlikely to markedly improve playoff chances unless Jackson-Davis makes a major, unexpected leap. The Timberwolves acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu in exchange for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks, with Chicago's Julian Phillips expected to be involved. Toronto prioritized cost-efficiency and salary-dump maneuvers around Ochai Agbaji, using second-rounders instead of pursuing higher-impact guard options.

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