Raptors make a small trade and it's done

The Raptors have acquired James Johnson from the Chicago Bulls for a first-round pick in June's NBA draft.

After KC Johnson in Chicago reported the Raptors were going to acquire 6-9 forward James Johnson from the Bulls, Toronto officials confirmed the transaction.

The price is Miami's first round pick, the one acquired in the departure of Chris Bosh last summer, not a high price to pay since the pick is excepted to be lower than 26th or 27th in the draft and would carry with it three guaranteed years of salary for whoever was selected.

Johnson is under contract through the 2011-12 season with a team option for 2012-13.

The Raptors did have some interest in Johnson in the weeks leading up his draft; the one in which they selected DeMar DeRozan with the ninth pick.

Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo had told me the other day he had some "minor" stuff percolating and that's precisely what this would be.

Am off in search of confirmation and comment; will be back with a full story later.

 

Comments

[John S]

I remember the Raps were interested in drafting him a couple of years ago... I personally love the move. Who are you going to draft with 28th overall pick? For every Tony Parker, there are a ton of players who don't make it.

Johnson is tough... the guy's a black belt and comes from a fighting family. Obviously he's not going to kick someone in the face on the court but we could use some more toughness, someone who won't back down and with Kleiza injured, having someone who can play the 3 and 4 helps.