Toronto Raptors are switching from Matt Thomas to Utah Jazz for a future runoff choice, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal opens up a spot for the Raptors and appears to be a precursor to a Kyle Lowry deal.
Toronto is immersed in commercial negotiations with the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers in a Lowry negotiation. The NBA’s negotiation deadline is about to expire, so a deal is expected to close soon. There were some problems in the commercial negotiations, with the Los Angeles Lakers hesitating to include Talen Horton-Tucker in the deal, and the Heat not wanting to part with Tyler Herro.
The Raptors already traded Norman Powell with the Portland Trail Blazers early on Thursday, ahead of the negotiation deadline. Toronto suffered a disappointing season, so the team is trying to maximize its return on guys like Lowry and Powell as they try to build around Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.
Thomas joined the Raptors last season and only managed a few minutes with the team. He shot 47.5% of 3-land as a rookie in 2.4 attempts per game and is shooting 41.5% from the depths this season.
Given his 3-point skill, Thomas fits perfectly into a Jazz team that is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. Utah currently holds the league’s best record for meeting the deadline.
Now let’s just wait and see where Kyle Lowry is going. Tighten your belt for this stretch run to the bell.
