The Kings and Raptors agreed to a major seven-player trade last night, but there could be more moves coming for both teams. The Kings are trying to deal away power forward Jason Thompson, while the Raptors wouldn’t mind parting with point guard Kyle Lowry, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
Sacramento has already pulled off a pair of in-season swaps, acquiring Derrick Williams and Rudy Gay. Those two will likely bump Thompson from the starting lineup. Finding a new home for Thompson won’t be easy, Stein points out, since he’s in the second season of a five-year contract for nearly $30.2MM with a 5% trade kicker.
No Raptor appears to be off-limits for a trade, aside from Jonas Valanciunas, according to a recent report. The team’s primary goal for the season now seems to be improving its draft lottery chances, making Lowry a prime trade candidate, as Stein suggests. Lowry is making $6.21MM in the final season of his deal. Greivis Vasquez, whom Toronto will receive in the swap with the Kings, could replace Lowry in the starting lineup.
Though the Kings and Raptors just hooked up on a trade, and respective GMs Pete D’Alessandro and Masai Ujiri worked together in the Nuggets front office, it doesn’t appear there are discussions between the teams involving Thompson or Lowry.