Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Chris Boucher
Toronto Raptors Receive: C Nic Claxton, G Landry Shamet
Spencer Dinwiddie is definitely going to be an interesting name that pops up in trade rumors this offseason, but he is not included in this deal for Chris Boucher. Nicolas Claxton and Landry Shamet would be the two guys departing from Brooklyn in this deal.
During his rookie season last year, Nic Claxton did not play much with the Nets and spent a solid amount of time in the G-League, averaging 16.7 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Long Island Nets. This year though, Claxton has carved out a role in the rotation and given his physicality on both ends of the court, he has played more than a reserve role off-the-bench in the postseason for Brooklyn.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: This Raptors-Sixers trade features Kyle Lowry to Philadelphia
Landry Shamet was a guy that Brooklyn traded for ahead of the 2020-21 season and had high expectations to be a three-point threat next to Joe Harris on the wing. While he did shoot 38.7% from three-point range this season, Shamet was inconsistent all year long and has been in and out of the Nets’ rotations depending on injuries.
Both Claxton and Shamet are expendable guys for the Nets and could actually be of use to Toronto. After not bringing back Marc Gasol or Serge Ibaka last offseason, the Raptors have been searching for answers at the center position and have yet to figure anything out long-term, which is why Claxton could be of interest for them. After trading Norman Powell at the NBA trade deadline, the Raptors also have room on the wing for a player like Shamet who can knock down three-point shots.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: This Nets-Pacers offseason trade involves Myles Turner and Joe Harris
Chris Boucher has been great in any role that Toronto has needed him to play, which is why they would be hesitant to trade him, but money is going to begin to be a big problem with Toronto, especially if they do bring back both Kyle Lowry and Gary Trent Jr. These two guys alone will equate for over $30M in salaries, not giving the Raptors any “wiggle room” to potentially re-sign Boucher after the 2021-22 season.
With all of this said, let’s take a look at this deal from each team’s perspective to see if this is a potential trade that we will see at some point this offseason.
