Just a couple of seasons ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers were clawing their way out of the Eastern Conference basement. Their big swing?
Trading for Donovan Mitchell-a move that’s paid off, pushing them into contender territory. But every blockbuster has its cost, and one of the key pieces they gave up in that deal, Ochai Agbaji, is now facing a tough stretch in his young NBA career.
Agbaji was Cleveland’s 14th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, a polished, high-motor wing out of Kansas with the kind of 3-and-D upside that fits snugly next to stars like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. But before he even suited up for the Cavs, he was on the move-shipped to Utah in the Mitchell trade just months after being drafted.
Fast forward to now, and Agbaji’s NBA journey has already taken him through three cities in less than three full seasons. After a rookie year in Utah, he was dealt again-this time to the Toronto Raptors, alongside veteran big man Kelly Olynyk. The Jazz received a first-round pick (which became Isaiah Collier) and some salary-matching pieces in return.
Initially, the move to Toronto looked like a fresh start, and Agbaji made the most of it. While his shooting was inconsistent after the trade, he found his rhythm in the 2024-25 season. The Raptors gave him real minutes, and he responded with real production.
In 64 games last season, including 45 starts, Agbaji averaged 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 27.2 minutes per game. He shot an impressive 49.8% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc on four attempts per night. That’s the kind of efficiency that turns heads-especially for a young wing still finding his footing in the league.
At that point, it looked like Agbaji was carving out a real role in Toronto’s future. The Raptors were competitive, and he was a key part of their rotation, spacing the floor and playing with confidence.
But this season has been a different story.
Agbaji’s production has taken a sharp downturn. His shooting numbers have dipped dramatically-just 41.1% from the field and a rough 19.7% from three on fewer than two attempts per game. That kind of drop-off is hard to ignore, especially for a player whose value hinges so heavily on his ability to knock down shots and defend on the perimeter.
With his shooting numbers slipping, so have his minutes. Agbaji is now playing just 16.4 minutes per contest. Part of that is due to the Raptors’ roster shakeups-Brandon Ingram’s arrival has added another high-usage wing to the mix-but even so, if Agbaji were still hitting threes at last year’s clip, he’d almost certainly be seeing more time on the floor.
It’s a tough break for a player who, not long ago, looked like he was on the rise. In just a few short years, Agbaji has gone from lottery pick, to centerpiece in a major trade, to promising starter, to someone who may be on the move again if things don’t turn around.
There’s still time-Agbaji’s just 23, and the tools that made him a first-round pick are still there. But in a league that moves fast and waits for no one, he’ll need to rediscover his rhythm soon to stay in the conversation as a key piece for Toronto-or any team looking for a reliable young wing.