Bruno Caboclo era over after Toronto Raptors trade for Malachi Richardson
While most eyes were on the flurry of deals at the NBA trade deadline, Toronto Raptors fans saw the end of an era with Bruno Caboclo being traded for Malachi Richardson.
Hearing the news of Bruno Caboclo being swapped for Malachi Richardson might come as bittersweet for Toronto Raptors fans.
The connection with Caboclo started when the Brazilian was marked as a player who was “two years away from being two years away”. A gamble the Raptors were comfortable making even though it did not end the way many would have wanted.
Now they take on another project with Richardson, still looking to establish himself as an NBA player. The 22nd pick in the 2016 draft was highly regarded for his three-point shooting and excellent size for the shooting guard position.
Could this trade also help the Raptors add players from the buyout market?
What does the Bruno Caboclo trade mean for the #Raptors?
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 8, 2018
The #Cavaliers are younger and more athletic after all the trades, but are they better?@Eric__Smith and @michaelgrange discuss the NBA Trade Deadline. pic.twitter.com/KE8tgb8uNy
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While there is no reports on who the Raptors could target in the buyout market, Joe Johnson‘s name has popped up as a possibility.
It was tough to expect the Raptors to do anything significant at the deadline, due to their lack of flexibility with the luxury tax and hardly any trade assets available to move. There were rumblings they tried to get involved in a deal for DeAndre Jordan, but that did not amount to much.
That would have likely seen Jonas Valanciunas leaving but that looked to be dependent on a third team getting involved in the deal. It would have also put the Raptors in a problem, with Jordan due to receive a $24 million player option after this season.
At this point the Raptors should feel comfortable with their roster, despite the moves the Cleveland Cavaliers made and the Boston Celtics not doing anything at the deadline.
When it comes to Caboclo, Raptors fans should be happy they got to see him play in the NBA. Surely nothing was as bad as the Toronto Maple Leafs wasting a first round pick on Tyler Biggs.
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What memories will you have of Caboclo? Is there a move you see them making following the trade deadline? Let us know in the comments.