Does NBA churn mean Raptors must make moves?

The Raptors have been quiet so far this off-season, but there’s been a flurry of activity elsewhere. What’s it all mean to our team?

The concept of “off-season” has all but disappeared for NBA fans. General Managers of a number of important teams have already made significant trades to improve their rosters, at least in theory.

I want to consider whether this flurry of deal-making is damaging to the future of the Toronto Raptors, and whether our top man, Masai Ujiri, should make a splash as well.

ITEM: The Atlanta Hawks have waved goodbye to the erstwhile Superman, Dwight Howard. He’s now a Charlotte Hornet, with Marco Belinelli and Miles Plumlee going to Georgia. There’s a minor draft pick swap as well.

EFFECT ON RAPTORS: This is an interesting deal, which has been written up as a clear win for Charlotte. I don’t know how much I agree. Howard hasn’t been a force for several seasons, and will be 32 in December. Plumlee at least plays hard and has some paint protection value, while Belinelli might be the most valuable player of the deal. He can light it up from beyond the arc.

Charlotte hasn’t won a playoff series since 2001-02. They needed to do something. Atlanta may be better prepared to run and gun now. Masai, are you taking note? (Worry not, Rapture Nation. He is.)

May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey (R) after the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Celtics are asset-rich

ITEM: The Boston Celtics decide Markelle Fultz is not their man, and trade down with Philadelphia. The Sixers will select Fultz at #1, and the Celtics add to their insane storehouse of assets with #3 this season, and an almost-certain single-digit pick soon.

EFFECT ON RAPTORS: Boston GM Danny Ainge is setting his team up for long-term success. Unless their scouts fail miserably, the Celtics can’t help but remain strong with the number of high picks at their disposal.

The Raptors are going to be in tough against the Men in Green once all Boston’s kids mature, so Win Now might be the order of the day. Which is a neat segue to…

ITEM: The Cleveland Cavaliers part company with GM David Griffin.

EFFECT ON RAPTORS: This fellow was well-liked by LeBron James, which lends some credence to the latest buzz in the trade press to the effect that King James will pull up stakes to LA-LA land after next season.

Can Toronto defeat a Cleveland team with a less than fully engaged LeBron next post-season? It might be interesting to find out.

I want to see where Griffin lands – could he be named as Masai’s new second-in-command?

Lakers make a deal

ITEM: The Lakers move D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and tonight’s #27 pick.

EFFECT ON RAPTORS: This looks like a sound trade for both teams. Mozgov is an adequate replacement for Lopez at least defensively, and Russell has a high ceiling. He was a #2 selection two years ago, but like several recent high draft picks (Nerlens Noel, Anthony Bennett – maybe Kristaps Porzingis?), was found wanting. Improving one’s team in the NBA isn’t merely a matter of amassing several years’ worth of high picks, then sitting back and waiting for eventual reward. Nothing is guaranteed.

Neither the Lakers nor the Nets will be playoff-bound this season, so this trade is significant only as further proof of the difficulties of tanking, team impatience, and the fact anyone can be traded.

What can be gleaned from all of this action or busy-work? Our man at the top isn’t prone to gaffs caused by hasty decision-making. Other teams are grappling with issues which make those of the Raptors seem trivial by comparison. Keep calm and carry on, Masai.

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