Trade Proposals for Raptors: who is out there we can use?

Are the Raptors in need of a trade to shore up some of the team’s weaknesses? Here are some players who might be available.

An interesting article in Basketball Insiders offers some trade candidates from struggling teams like the Clippers, Lakers, Pelicans and others. If I were sitting in the chair of Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri, which one(s) of these underachievers might I be interested in?

A player who’s removed himself from the penthouse to the outhouse over the last few seasons is Ty Lawson. He was moved by his deeply disappointed team, the Denver Nuggets, to the Houston Rockets this summer. Lawson has been charged twice with Driving Under the Influence (of alcohol, in his case), and entered rehab. However, his play has regressed and he’s third on the depth chart. The Rockets were expected to be title contenders this year, but are perhaps the NBA’s biggest flop so far (yes, that includes the 76ers) with a 9-11 mark.

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) in the fourth quarter at Pepsi Center. The Raptors defeated the Nuggets 116-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

There’s still time for them to turn their record around, and for Lawson to return to the Kyle Lowry-like dynamo he’s been until recently. But a few more weeks of scuffling might make Rockets management think it’s Let’s Make a Deal time.

Speaking of players trending the wrong way, it was only a few years ago that the words “Roy Hibbert” and “beast” belonged in the same sentence. Do the Lakers want to move him, after just acquiring him from Indiana? I don’t know, but if he goes, I hope it isn’t to the Raptors. I’d be more interested in Nick Young.

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The Clippers may have righted their ship, but there’s still talk of moving Jamal “Instant Offense” Crawford. If I believed the Raptors were one player away from championship status, Crawford would be someone I could get serious about – but we’re not.

The Washington Wizards are treading water, and could put in play veterans like Kris Humphries, Alan Anderson (both ex-Raptors), Ramon Sessions and more. I wouldn’t be interested in any more swingmen, but Humphries has always been a strong rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass.

The Bucks are another disappointment, and may be in need of a shake-things-up trade. Speculation surrounds O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless, both veteran combo guards on expiring contracts. Mayo is another one of those “wait till next season” players (like Terrence Ross), who never has broken through. He’s not likely to hurt the Raptors, but I wouldn’t make a pitch for him unless we were stricken with injuries in the backcourt. Bayless is not my style at all. He tosses up a lot of shots, and a few go in. He tosses up some more. No thanks.

Omer Asik could surely be had from the New Orleans Pelicans, but who wants to take on the $60 million still owed to him?

There you have it, Raptors fans; the most likely trade candidates from the teams hungry for a change in their fortunes. I could certainly be persuaded of the merits of a Humphries deal, as I’ve not been shy about expressing my concern for how short we are of big men. While he’s been asked to take more foul line jumpers in Washington, I’d put him on the low blocks and make very clear we don’t need any shots from him.longer than eight feet. Crash the boards, Hump.

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Otherwise, the players allegedly on the market are either not worth acquiring, or too expensive. That said, if Kyle Lowry blew out his knee tomorrow, I’d be on the phone to Houston’s Daryl Morey right quick, trying to determine how badly he’d like to be rid of Lawson.

What do you say, Rapture Nation? Any one of these fellows jump out at you? Let me know in the Comments.

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