The Raptors appear to be getting involved in the multi-team Jimmy Butler blockbuster after all.
Initially thought to be involved in the deal as a facilitator to take on Kyle Anderson, Toronto is instead acquiring veteran forward P.J. Tucker, who was being sent from Utah to Miami as part of the Butler trade, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania, the Raptors will also get a second-round pick and cash from the Heat in the swap, which will send guard Davion Mitchell to Miami. The second-rounder is the Lakers’ 2026 pick, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link).
While Charania doesn’t explicitly say so, this agreement will likely be folded in the larger framework of the Butler trade, with Tucker going directly from the Jazz to Toronto in the multi-team deal.
It’s a financially motivated maneuver for the Heat, who will take on Mitchell’s $6.45MM expiring contract instead of Tucker’s $11.54MM expiring deal. That will allow them to duck below the first tax apron by about $1.96MM, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who adds (via Twitter) that Miami remains above the luxury tax line by approximately $2.8MM.
It remains to be seen if the Heat will hang onto Mitchell or if they have additional moves to come. The former ninth overall pick is a talented point-of-attack defender who has a limited offensive game. In 44 games (22 starts) for the Raptors this season, he averaged 6.3 points and 4.6 assists in 24.5 minutes per night, with a .434/.359/.676 shooting line.
Mitchell will be eligible for restricted free agency at season’s end, though he seems unlikely to receive a qualifying offer.
Tucker has some history in Toronto — he was drafted by the franchise in 2006 and spent his rookie season with the Raptors, then was traded back to the team in 2017. However, his third stint with the organization will likely be a brief one, as he’s a virtual lock to be bought out or released outright.
Toronto still had a fair amount of breathing room below the luxury tax line after agreeing to acquire Brandon Ingram from New Orleans, which is why the club is willing to accommodating a salary dump. The second-round pick and cash they’re getting in the deal incentivized the Raptors to swap out Mitchell for Tucker and his pricier contract.
The Raptors could use Mitchell’s salary for matching purposes to complete the trade or could utilize its untouched mid-level exception to absorb Tucker’s incoming salary. In the latter scenario, the team would create a new trade exception worth Mitchell’s outgoing $6.45MM salary.
I like this move. If anyone can help jumpstart Davions career, Spo can.
Why trade Mitch man???? Yes PJ was here before and he liked being here but he’s washed now!
Because he sucks? One of the least efficient offensive players in the game.
Because they aren’t resigning him. Because his skill set is redundant with Shead on the roster. Because they got an expiring contract. Because they got a 2nd round pick.
I love him but while the defense is great the offense is nearly unplayable
Yeah, this. Dude’s a better version of Dennis Smith Jr., but that’s not actually a good skillset, so it hardly matters. Unless he can ramp up his Catch-and-Shoot (35% everywhere, even the corners), he’ll keep bouncing around the league.
Wait, where is Kyle Anderson going now?
staying in Miami. Slowly cruising the beaches.
The Heat for now. It’s possible they’re still looking to flip him.
Wow, this is actually a great trade. Get a Heat culture type player that goes hard on defense for a washed player AND duck the apron. All for one measly 2nd rounder.
Like this move for Miami. Mitchell really is a nice defensive guard but was drafted by the Kings and send off to the Raptors and really didn’t grow in either place. I like this move for his career and Miami has an excellent coaching staff that will get the best out of his abilities.
Sometimes reading is hard for posters who just keep of blabbering BS.
PJ still sitting on the couch …in PJ’s.
Tucker going back to where it all started his rookie year at 21 years old for the Raptors. That’s usually where you go to end your career sometimes
He will be waived almost assuredly
The Raptors buy a second round pick from a Raptors perspective.
Heat are sending cash so they are not even buying one. Just using available cap
pj tucker buyout and sign w. the bucks lets gooo
Teams playing hot potato with PJ Tucker.
Very good pick up for Miami. Davion is cat-quick. A defensive specialist at the guard spot is a very good player to have, there aren’t that many. I don’t see him as a bad distributor and guard skills, the jump shot needs work still and he has to be better on Offense, but he’s a good player and very young. Can help Miami this season definitely, besides, great complement to Herro and Duncan Robinson