Adam Jones is taking his talents to Toronto.

In a major National Lacrosse League trade announced Tuesday, the Rock acquired the 27-year-old lefty forward from the Saskatchewan Rush in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2018 and 2019.

“We have made no bones about it and felt we needed to improve our left side,” Toronto president and general manager Jamie Dawick said in a press release.  “The opportunity to acquire one of the best lefties in the game doesn’t come along too often and it comes at a price. Adam is a special player and makes us a better team, which is why we made this trade and gave up those assets.”

Saskatchewan Rush general manager and head coach Derek Keenan cited the NLL’s “imminent” expansion plans as the reason for the trade. The Rush now have three first-round picks in 2018 and 2019 to reload from potential roster attrition. Saskatchewan also owns the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, which will be held Sept. 18.

Jones, the third overall draft pick in 2011 who spent five seasons in Colorado, had 26 goals and 31 assists in his only season with the Rush. He went off in the playoffs, scoring 13 goals and adding six assists in four games. He previously enjoyed 51- and 42-goal seasons with the Mammoth.

“He performed at a high level for us, especially in the playoffs. He’s also a quality young man.  Hard to say goodbye,” Keenan said in a separate press release. “However, we are always looking for long-term stability and maintaining a championship-caliber team for the long term. … It appears NLL expansion is imminent.  This makes the picks potentially even more important.”

Jones originally is from Owen Sound, Ontario, about two-and-a-half hours north of Toronto.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “My family is very excited too. They can come and watch me play. Toronto is a team I always watched when I was younger, and I’m happy to be a part of great organization.”

Rock head coach Matt Sawyer also has a close connection to Jones. He coached him with the Orangeville Northmen in the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse league, where they won the Minto Cup Canadian Junior A championship in 2008 and 2009.

Sawyer called Jones “a premier offensive talent.”