Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets Pull Off 5 Player Blockbuster Deal

The Toronto Raptors have acquired Peja Stojakovic and Jerryd Bayless from the New Orleans Hornets for Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks, a trade exception and David Andersen.

The deal will actually be constructed as two separate deals to navigate around NBA rules that restrict the Hornets from trading Bayless in a multi-player deal.

Both teams are going in opposite directions this season and Toronto addressed a major need by acquiring a young, dynamic point guard and the Hornets addressed a need by acquiring a capable point guard who can also double as a shooting guard.


Trade Analysis:

New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets acquire the Toronto Raptors’ starting point guard and Jarrett Jack, and have added some much needed veteran depth behind superstar Chris Paul.

They managed to squeeze some value out of Peja Stojakovic’s expiring contract and addressed a major need, as they had to contend with a Chris Paul injury late last season.

The Hornets are a reinvigorated team this season, and this move makes them even stronger.

Marcus Banks will add some point guard depth as well, but was included more for his expiring deal than for his skill.

Banks is a candidate to be traded by this year's trade deadline, as the Hornets will be looking to acquire more depth for their playoff push.

David Andersen can play spot minutes behind the talented Emeka Okafor, but doesn't figure to get more than 10-15 minutes a night once he gets acclimated with the offense.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have finally acquired a player that may pan out as their point guard of the future, something Raptor fans have been clamouring for for over two years.

Jerryd Bayless is the real prize of this deal for the Raptors, even with a bigger name in Peja coming to the team.

Bayless will slowly work his way into a prominent role for the Raptors before hopefully taking the starting job from Jose Calderon sometime after the all-star break.

Peja Stojakovic is nothing more than a big expiring contract and should be wearing another uniform by the time the trade deadline comes and goes.

Who Wins?

Drum roll please.

Its a win-win.

As mentioned above both teams filled dire needs and got rid of some unwanted pieces. Both had to give up someone they probably did not really want to in Jack and Bayless, but both teams will walk away feeling satisfied with this deal.

If I am a New Orleans fan, I'm upset, as I would feel the Hornets could have got more for such a large expiring contract, and that Bayless probably has a brighter future than Jarrett Jack.

I would also ask myself just who the hell is David Andersen?

If I am a Raptor fan (and I am) I am rejoicing as the Raptors have finally acquired what can turn out to be their point guard of the future.

I would also be happy in acquiring an asset in Peja Stojakovic that we can use as the trade deadline approaches to further improve our team for the future.

This was a win-win for both of the franchises, we are just not sure the die-hard fans in New Orleans will feel the same.



This article can also be found at Raptors Digest.