While I like the Raptors roster as it is, a lot of readers are sending in “Let’s trade Terrence Ross” ideas” – so let’s.
So many members of Rapture Nation want to see Terrence Ross in another team’s uniform next season – I don’t recall anything like it since Andrea Bargnani was still in town.
Can I construct a Trade Proposal in which both teams end up a winner, or is TRoss destined to be an expensive Raptors mistake, like the unfortunate Landry Fields?
I’ve set myself a challenge, so let’s go.
The Orlando Magic have gotten big this summer, having added Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo. One has to wonder if incumbent centre Nikola Vucevic would be happy with a change of scenery.
The Trade Machine sees this deal as a clear win for the Raptors, with our team gaining 5 wins and the Magic losing 6.
Do any of you like the potential of the Denver Nuggets’ Wilson Chandler? He can be swapped for Terrence with almost no effect on either team.
We can make a deal with the Charlotte Hornets, who might think TRoss is ready for that breakout year he’s always promising. Let’s get two players back.
OK, that will do.
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The Orlando deal can be quickly dismissed. Another centre who wants minutes? We already have two young and eager Euros at the position; there’s no need for another.
The Denver deal is lacklustre. Unless Masai Ujiri strongly believes Chandler is a hidden gem who just needs minutes to demonstrate his value, there’s not a compelling improvement here. I might feel differently if TRoss was a problem child and needed to be moved for that reason alone, but there’s no indication that’s the case. He would not have been re-signed with a big raise if he was a disruptive force in the locker room.
Getting Belinelli and Zeller might be a value play. The Trade Machine says the Raptors gain two wins. Marco can space the floor with his shooting, and Zeller would be cheap injury insurance in the front court. Neither of them is a great defender, but they wouldn’t be facing the opponents’ top players either. Marco has two seasons left on his deal at $6.3 million per, and Zeller is done after this season’s $5.3M. Of course either or both could be re-signed, but if they didn’t work out, it would hardly be a “Chris Bosh just signed with Miami!” disaster.
Whether Charlotte is interested in TRoss is hard to guess, but they could probably use another speedy swingman to run with burner point guard Kemba Walker.
TRoss’ salary and contract duration are reasonable by the insane standards of today’s NBA. As a result, he’s highly movable and there are probably other deals you can construct. If you do, let me know what they are in the Comments. I’ll take a more detailed look at those trades which look like potential wins for both teams.
In the meantime, any thoughts on those I came up with?