RAPS RE-SHUFFLE, GET PICK & POWELL FOR VASQUEZ IN DRAFT DEAL
The Toronto Raptors acquired a lottery-protected 1st-round draft pick in 2017, plus the draft rights to swingman Norman Powell (drafted No. 46 overall in 2015) from the Milwaukee Bucks for combo guard Greivis Vasquez.
What does it give the Toronto Raptors
For Toronto this move is about financial flexibility. Vasquez makes over $6 million and the Raptors need to add some post players in free agency, so they make a tough decision here and trade a quality rotation guy and fan fave. To replace Vasquez the Raptors quickly drafted talented and NBA-ready point guard Delon Wright (No. 20 overall), and they get the super-athletic and defensively-inclined Powell as well, to add depth at small forward. They'll miss Vasquez, but this is a strong package in return for the Raptors (who also add the first-rounder in '17).
What does it give the Milwaukee Bucks
Vasquez joins starter Michael Carter-Williams to give the Bucks one of the physically biggest (and most well-rounded) point guard tandems in the NBA. Milwaukee needed more of a pass-first backup at the point (plus a proven shooter and mentor), and Vasquez provides all of that. Plus, he can start at either guard spot quite effectively if needed. This makes the young Bucks even more of a playoff contender, but they pay a fairly high price here (in all-round assets).
Fantasy impact
Expect Vasquez's fantasy value to stay pretty much the same in Milwaukee as it was in Toronto (since his role appears identical). That said, the fantasy fortunes of Milwaukee backcourt backups Jerryd Bayless and O.J. Mayo take a hit (assuming they're kept around this off-season). Powell has some deep sleeper appeal with the Raptors, if only because Toronto is far from set at small forward. Meanwhile new backup point guard Wright is also a sleeper, since he's one of the top point guards in this draft class and is NBA-ready as Kyle Lowry's new backup (for now at least).
