Toronto Raptors pull a coup, land Julian Wright

With the New Orleans Hornets welcoming Trevor Ariza into the fold, they have agreed to trade swingman Julian Wright for little used guard Marco Belinelli.

This deal is a coup for the Toronto Raptors as Wright is a potential starter at small forward and despite an inconsistent NBA career thus far, is literally oozing with potential.

Julian Wright has excellent handles and passing skills and will impress Raptors fans and Raptors brass alike with his diverse skill set. Wright also has excellent defense where he puts his 7’2 wingspan to use.

I have been a fan of Julian Wright since he entered the NBA since as I am an avid fantasy basketball player and the Hornets needed an answer at small forward. Now on the Raptors I am extremely excited for yet another addition to the young guns. Wright has the ability to fill up the box score by chipping in 3’s, steals, offensive rebounds and blocks.

Lets take a look at his career highs (different games): 20 points, 7 free throws, 7 offensive rebounds, 7 defensive rebounds, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocks. Now lets take a look at his 2009-2010 season highs spread across different games: 16 points, 5 offensive rebounds, 5 defensive rebounds, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks.  Julian Wright has major upside at small forward and he has proven it in an NBA arena.

Players with the skill set Wright offers are in high demand and he can be favorably compared to an unpolished, poorer shooting Boris Diaw. Wright is of the point forward mold and Raptor fans need to fully appreciate how amazing a pickup Wright is for the Raptors.

Many wanted Bryan Colangelo to draft our small forward of the future this past draft before Ed Davis fell to us, whether it was Patrick Patterson, Xavier Henry or Paul George.

Julian Wright will do just as well or better in terms of fit if he can get it together.

He will not come in and be our new #1 option, but his acquisition has solidified our small forward depth and the fact that we were able to do it at a negligible cost once again proves Bryan Colangelo’s wizardry.

Belinelli may be the more proven commodity but make no mistake, we won this trade.

Rejoice Raptor fans, this is a possible impact move, even if many may not see it yet.

Raju Byfield is a Senior Sports Writer for Raptors Digest.

Raju Byfield also writes for Win My Fantasy League as a Senior Sports Writer/Fantasy Sports Analyst.