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Trade Proposal: David West to Toronto for Chuck Hayes and Landry Fields

By Kevin Nimmock

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This is an updated look at a deal proposed by Raptors Rapture Senior Editor Brian Boake.

With the Feb. 19 NBA Trade Deadline quickly approaching, Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri should be looking to make a few key moves to assure that his team is playoff ready. The Raptors have won seven of their last eight games and are sitting second in the Eastern Conference (33-16), but there are still some roster additions and subtractions that need to be made. The Raptors have the 19th best defensive rating in the league, an unimpressive spot earned partly through weak interior defence.

One trade that could help the team’s chances of a deep playoff run would be bringing veteran big man David West to town. West, who currently starts for the Paul Georgeless Indiana Pacers, is a big presence in the paint. Even at 34 years old, West is still a capable defensive player with some offensive ability. He plays power forward comfortably, but would be able to pickup some minutes at the centre position based on the needs of the Raptors. West is 6-9, weighing in at 240. Without even analyzing his playing style, his height and weight are enough to say that he can provide some interior toughness and support for the sometimes lackadaisical Raptors defence.

According to ESPN’s Trade Machine, the Raptors can pickup West if they are willing to send Chuck Hayes and Landry Fields. The Trade Machine says that the Pacers would be projected to lose three more games than they otherwise would with West in a blue and yellow uniform, but they would likely be willing to accept that burden because of the opportunity Hayes and Fields would offer them.

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The Pacers are going to be rebuilding at the end of this season. They are having a rough year and even with Paul George back in the lineup next season, they will struggle. They have many older players and are burdened by huge contracts. By taking on Fields and Hayes, who are being paid $6.25 million and $6 million respectively for the last year of their contracts, the Pacers would be able to create a lot of salary cap room during the offseason. They would likely dump both players, allowing them to pickup more valuable assets, as well as draft a talented prospect because of their inevitably poor end-of-season record.

In West, the Raptors would gain a player who is averaging 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. West is seriously regressing this season, but he still offers many of the attractive qualities he has throughout his 12-season NBA career. West has extensive playoff experience with New Orleans and Indiana, which is exactly what the inexperienced Raptors need. He can offer a veteran voice in the locker room, serving as a mentor for young centre Jonas Valanciunas, as JV continues to improve into an elite big man.

The Raptors would be far more of a legit playoff contender with West in the lineup, picking up minutes at the centre and power forward spots. He would also make up for the often lacklustre rebounding provided by Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson. Plus, the Raptors would lose very little in Fields and Hayes. Sure, Fields is a good defender, but James Johnson is better anyways. Plus, Johnson has offensive chops as well. It’s time for Ujiri to buckle down and make some moves to help the already strong Raptors improve.

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