Early trade deadline may force Raptors hand

The NBA trade deadline has been reset to much earlier than prior seasons. Will the Raptors make a deal or two before all the evidence is in about how they are playing?

An interesting post in The Sporting News provided a reminder of how early the NBA trade deadline arrives this season. All trades must be finalized and in to the league office by 3:00pm on February 8, 2018. That night the Toronto Raptors play their 58th game, meaning there’s still nearly a third of the season to go.

The league apparently wants to have teams’ rosters finalized prior to the All-Star break. Whatever – I’m only interested in what effect the early date might have on the Raptors’ plans.

Masai Ujiri made a couple of moves prior to last year’s deadline. He moved Terrence Ross and a first-round pick to Orlando for Serge Ibaka, then dumped Jared Sullinger (who’s playing in China, BTW) and a couple of second-round picks for P.J. Tucker.

Masai showed the league he’s willing to cash some future assets out for a shot at a championship today.

Serge returned to our team over the summer, while Tucker spurned the Raptors for Houston.

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 14: Delon Wright /

Of course we have no idea whether the Raptors’ current status as Eastern Conference contender can be maintained. Our guys could take a tumble due to injuries, Kyle Lowry suddenly getting old, bad shooting from beyond the arc, or something else completely unforeseen. But that’s a bleak view, and not my style. Besides, the team has averaged more than 50 wins over the past four seasons, so a certain optimism seems apropos.

Who gets moved in a trade?

Which player has been the most disappointing so far? This roster hasn’t provided us much to complain about. There isn’t anyone, like DeMarre Carroll last year, who is being paid by the yard while producing by the inch. Serge may never again be the beast he was in his early OKC years, but he still defends, hits his 3-balls often enough to be a threat, and is a shot-disrupter in the paint.

Jonas Valanciunas has been wildly inconsistent. I’m particularly bummed about this because I’ve been a JV fan, but he can’t seem to find that extra level he needs to enjoy a breakout season. He’s difficult to move, because he’s viewed as the embodiment of the “old” NBA.

As for the kids – has anyone flopped? I suppose perpetual whipping boy Bruno Caboclo could be so considered. His trade value is about nil anyway. All the rest of them, except the unlucky Delon Wright, have been worthy of minutes.

The plan is…

Here’s my prediction: the early trade deadline will result in fewer deals. The tight standings we’re seeing at the moment will persist (as of this morning, seven teams in the East, and four in the West, are between 2 games over and 2 games under .500). GMs will face a double whammy: “Is my squad a contender or pretender? It’s too soon to tell.” and “I’ve got to decide earlier than I’d like.” That kind of dilemma will produce stasis.

It may be silly-early to be saying such things, but I’ll do it anyway. Masai will be neither a buyer nor a seller at the deadline. He’ll take calls, but won’t feel compelled or panicked to jump at a deal just to make one.

I reserve the right to change my mind.

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