Three Trades Masai Ujiri Must Consider For The Raptors

1. Memphis Grizzlies

This is one I covered a few weeks back, but it’s worth mentioning again.

Call this the ultimate swing for the fences for Masai Ujiri. This deal would cement Toronto as the undisputed 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavs (yes, in this instance, being number two is a good thing!). And with the Cavs adjusting to life after David Blatt, a move of this magnitude could see the Raptors leap frog over LeBron James and company.

The Deal:

The real prize here is Zach Randolph. He might be 35 years old, but don’t be the one to tell him that. He’s still a beast on the boards, pulling down 8 per game, while still able to chip in 13.7 points. Compared to Patrick Patterson’s 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 points per contest, and the inconsistent usage of James Johnson (he’s often deployed as a power forward in small ball lineups), and that’s already an instant upgrade for the Raptors. Adding Z-Bo also gives Jonas Valanciunas much needed support down low and gives the Raptors an elite power forward on the roster.

As much as Ross is starting to come into his own this season, a returning Vince Carter would add so much value to Toronto outside of the initial nostalgia factor. VC at age 38, has carved out a nifty supporting role in the latter end of his career, in spite of averaging career lows across the board. I would anticipate Dwane Casey utilizing Carter in a 3-and-D role off the bench, much like Terrence Ross. How much Carter has left in the tank is anyone’s guess, but what better way for VC to ride of into the sunset than to close off his career with the team who gave him his start (ok, so a little nostalgia wouldn’t hurt).

In the grand scheme of things, this deal, with or without Vince Carter, is all about getting Randolph. The Raptors need a solid 4 man, and they don’t come any more solid than Z-Bo. However, with Memphis currently occupying the 5th seed in the Western Conference, the likelihood of this is slim and nil… and nil just left!

Probability of Trade: 3 of 10

Next: Brooklyn Nets: Let's Trade And Make Up