NBA 2018-19: 3 Players the Toronto Raptors need to trade away

Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard are the Raptors star players
Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard are the Raptors star players

#1 Jonas Valančiūnas

The Toronto Raptors have moved on without Jonas Valančiūnas so far this season
The Toronto Raptors have moved on without Jonas Valančiūnas so far this season

For the first time in his Raptors career, Jonas Valančiūnas has found himself relegated to Toronto's bench. He has started less than half of the Raptors games so far this season, and the center is averaging less than 20 minutes per game for the first time in his career.

The Lithuanian will earn close to $17 million this year, and the Raptors cannot afford to pay a salary like this to a player coming off the bench. The franchise has a promising young center in Pascal Siakam, and the Canadian franchise would benefit from trading away Valanciunas and investing his salary elsewhere.

The 26-year-old has been efficient in his limited playing time this season, so the Raptors should be able to acquire assets in return for the big Lithuanian.

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