The deal
Raptors get: Guard Malachi Richardson
Kings get: Forward Bruno Caboclo
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Sacramento Kings: C
The original read on this trade is that it was a way for the Kings to clear the roster spot necessary to make a two-for-one trade for George Hill with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz. Richardson's name had been floated as a possibility for such a trade, and releasing Caboclo instead of Richardson would have allowed Sacramento to avoid a cap hit beyond this season.
In a change of course, the Kings apparently decided to instead waive another of their 2016 first-round picks, Georgios Papagiannis, and will keep Caboclo according to Sactown Royalty.
Four years after the Raptors stunned the league by drafting the little-known Caboclo in the first round, he's yet to make an NBA impact, having played 113 total minutes. His G League stats show limited progress. Caboclo's long arms give him defensive potential, but in order to be an NBA contributor, he'll have to become a better 3-point shooter. Caboclo has made between 33 and 34 percent of his 3-point attempts all four seasons in the G League.
At 22, there's still time for Caboclo to break through. Still, I'm a little surprised Sacramento would rather have his rights as a restricted free agent this summer than either Papagiannis or Richardson on their rookie contracts.
Toronto Raptors: C
In the short term, swapping Caboclo for the cheaper Richardson has the benefit of moving the Raptors further under the luxury-tax line. That should enable Toronto to use its prorated biannual exception to offer buyout candidates more money than the veteran's minimum, a useful tool to have in filling the open spot on the roster.
Down the road, the Raptors are hoping they can get more out of Richardson than the Kings. Adding his $1.6 million guaranteed salary for next season is meaningful given Toronto is already over the projected 2018-19 tax line. That said, Toronto has to have someone on the roster, and Richardson will make barely more than the veterans minimum.
The question is whether Richardson merits a roster spot at this point. He has had a rough sophomore campaign, making just 35 percent of his 2-point attempts and 31 percent of his 3s. During two NBA seasons, Richardson has shot 30 percent in his career from 3-point range, making it tough to justify 3-and-D hopes. Richardson is still young, but not that young. Though he has two years less NBA experience, Richardson is only about three months younger than Caboclo.