NBA Trade Verdict
Raptors Win
Trading Kyle Lowry was painful in isolation but strategically balanced by the pick Houston received.
July 11, 2012 Houston Rockets / Toronto Raptors Record confidence: High
Houston Rockets Received
- Player Gary Forbes
- Draft Pick first-round pick (protected top 3 and #15-30 in 2013, top 2 and #15-30 in 2014-15, top 1 and #15-30 in 2016-17, unprotected in 2018) (2013 #12- Steven Adams )
Toronto Raptors Received
- Player Kyle Lowry
Trade Analysis
Toronto acquired Kyle Lowry and received the better individual player career, including years of All-Star play and championship-level impact. Houston's protected first-round pick later became the No. 12 selection and entered the James Harden package, preserving substantial downstream value. That keeps Houston's return strong, but Toronto's A+ versus Houston's A- still creates enough realized separation for a Raptors Win.