Raptors new Power Forward – Brooklyn Nets Thaddeus Young??
By Brian Boake
The Raptors need a power forward, and the Nets need a draft pick. Here’s a deal to benefit both sides.
Here’s another trade proposal where both sides get what they need; a true starter-quality PF for the Toronto Raptors, and a precious draft selection, plus a couple of decent players, for the Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets are the NBA’s most bleak franchise. The majority owner, Russian plutocrat Mikhail Prokhorov, is prone to meddling when he’s not trying to sell the team (or buy out his partners – who knows with this guy?). The team is a disaster; I’d be surprised if the Philadelphia 76ers don’t pass them in wins before the season is out. Their coach recently was canned, and their General Manager demoted.
This being professional sports, the Nets and their fans will not be receiving so much as a teaspoon of sympathy from any other team. In fact, the other 29 GMs would be derelict in their duties if they didn’t hover over the carcass of this team, vulture-like, in an attempt to poach what few players they have. Because the Nets have so badly mortgaged their future, they are all but shut out of the normally tasty lottery picks they would “earn” through their shoddy play. While they don’t have many players worth acquiring, we think we’ve identified one who’s worthy of attention.
The Toronto Raptors, as I’ve written before, are in the strange position of having too many players, and the glut will only increase. The team has two 2016 first-round selections, and potentially two the following year. I think GM Masai Ujiri has to stop acquiring young talent and start thinking about winning a Championship. I strongly suspect this notion has occurred to Masai already.
OK, what’s the deal, Brian? There are only two players on the Nets roster I’d consider worthy of acquisition, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young. We’re already well-stocked at centre, and Lopez is too expensive anyway. We’re full of power forwards too, but they are all rotation grade. Let’s trade Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson, plus one of our first-rounders of next year, for Thaddeus.
What do the Raptors get? Young, a 27-year-old power forward, is undersized at 6’8″, but he’s a well-built 220 lbs. He enjoyed several playoff trips, including 6 games last year in the Nets’ first-round exit to the Atlanta Hawks. Thaddeus has been a starter most of his career, is seldom hurt, and has delivered consistent if not eye-popping numbers. This season he checks in with 15.9 points and 9 rebounds per game [PG]. While Thaddeus’ points this year are in line with his norm, his rebounds are a career high. He’s Paul Millsap-lite, with a fine 18.1 PER on a bad team.
Young isn’t a star, and isn’t likely to be. But he’s young enough to maintain his solid performance for several more years. The Raptors don’t need a beast at power forward; they need exactly what he can provide, i.e., a solid 30 minutes PG of defense and rebounding, plus the ability to create his own shot on occasion (and there’s always an occasion). While he’s struggling with his 3-point shot this season (21.7%), that’s not a high priority with our starters. The Raptors will have enough long-distance shooting once DeMarre Carroll is back at full speed.
What I’m proposing is not a Big Deal. But it provides something for both sides, namely an upgrade at the 4 spot for the Raptors, and a draft pick for the Nets. Who knows? 2-Pat may blossom, assuming he steps into Young’s starting job. Toronto can manage the loss of two of their power forwards without trauma. James Johnson can handle the backup gig, and maybe Anthony Bennett will garner more minutes.
As always, the money works. The ESPN Trade Machine says the Nets will lose 3 games, and the Raptors will gain 2 wins, by this transaction. If I’m the Brooklyn GM (do they have one?), I don’t care about this season…it’s long gone already. I care very much about starting to rebuild, and that has to be through the draft.
Next: Alternate 5-man units for Raptors
What do you think, Rapture Nation? Am I over-rating Young, or perhaps under-rating Patterson? Drop a Comment, and let’s discuss.