Do the Toronto Raptors need help via Trade?
Feb 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) shakes hands with guard Lou Williams (23) against the Washington Wizards at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The 64th NBA All Star Weekend ended on Sunday with the All-Star game, but until the games re-start, we have the trade deadline (February 19th). NBA General Managers and head coaches are trying to fix any issues within their teams, by acquiring assets within the trade procedure. Is the Raptors one of this teams, and do they need a roster change via trade to achieve their goals?
The team entered the All-Star break with the best record ever (36-17), which lies them first in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference, after the red-hot Atlanta Hawks. But, how far can the Raptors go, with the current roster? The division championship is in their hands, a play-off spot also, but can they do more than that?
Let’s discuss team’s depth, and find out if there is a necessity of talent acquisition:
The roster consists of 15 players. Almost the 50% of them (7), are players who either they usually sit on the bench (Caboclo, Nogueira, Hayes, Fields, Stiemsma), their repertoire is limited (Hansbrough) or they lost their position from the starting lineup due to continuous inconsistency (Ross). And if we add Greivis Vasquez in this group, our current starting shooting guard, who is at least trying but still has limited decision making for a backup point guard (because this is his major role, or at least this was his role at the beginning of the season), then we surpass the 50% mark.
Should I make it worse? Jonas Valanciunas is utilized less than expected, due to his defensive flaws but mostly due to head coach decisions. If you don’t have plays including Jonas, you’re keeping him on the bench and leave the guards play isolation (a.k.a ISO) games. James Johnson started exceptionally, helping the team in both ends of the floor, but he almost vanished lately (6.8 minutes during the last 10 games), before getting injured. And of course, injuries that affected our team (DeRozan) and fatigue (Lowry) due to lack of choice (Vasquez is utilized as SG and Lou Williams is an ISO SG only).
As an epilogue, I want to say this; even if the standings may say the opposite, this team is not as good as it seems to be, if we want to consider it as a playoff contender. They are lucky that they are playing in Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division, and many of their flaws are not shown. This team needs depth and talent. They need a backup centre, a Power Forward who can rebound and score (dragging Amir Johnson to the centre spot) a backup pass-first point guard, and a backup SF that can score from beyond the arc, or…Wiggins!
Players exist in the market, like David West (for whom the rumors have already started) Taj Gibson for the PF position, Danny Granger as a SF, Kosta Koufos (much better centre than Stiemsma or Hansbrough), even Tyler Ennis for a backup PG (Phoenix Suns have so many guards that I don’t know when and if the Canadian player will get his chance). There are choices. This team needs talent, along with better roster utilization. And in my opinion, chemistry is not an issue any more. They should not be afraid of damaging the team’s chemistry if we trade few players. Wins and enjoyable basket build chemistries. Selfish plays and defeats damage it.