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Raptors must decide needs with NBA trade deadline coming

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors teams up with Sunlife for the Dunk for Diabetes campaign on October 17 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors teams up with Sunlife for the Dunk for Diabetes campaign on October 17 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Raptors are strong, but are they strong enough to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline? Masai Ujiri and his staff will have to decide.

Whether we’re ready or not, Christmas Day arrives on December 25. Likewise, the NBA trade deadline arrives on February 8 – and it’s gone a second after 3:00PM.

The Toronto Raptors installed Masai Ujiri as their President and General Manager on May 31, 2013. I don’t believe there have been many days, if any, when the suits at MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) regretted their decision.

MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo, boxed out by Serge Ibaka
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo, boxed out by Serge Ibaka /

Masai has shown himself to be a sharp assessor of professional talent (he’s no slouch with amateurs either, as his draft results have shown, but that’s not today’s theme). An essential pillar in any team-building exercise is the skill to acquire talent at the NBA trade deadline without paying too much for it. We’ll quickly consider Masai’s deals over the past few deadlines, then mull over what might be in the cards this year.

2014

  • Austin Daye to San Antonio for Nando de Colo
    • I wish our coaches took better care of de Colo while he was a Raptor. The loss of Daye was impact-free, while de Colo never had a chance to show his skills. He left, and has built a brilliant career in Russia. This should have been one of the great steals.

2015

  • no deals

2016

  • no deals

2017

  • Terrence Ross & 2017 first-round pick to Orlando for Serge Ibaka
    • Serge has found a home in Toronto, having signed a 3-year extension in the off-season.
    • TRoss has played well enough, though plagued by injuries.
  • second-round picks in 2017 & 2018 to Phoenix for P.J. Tucker
    • Tucker spurned Masai’s attempts to bring him back, and signed with Houston this summer

2018

  • who knows?

All of which proves…

Masai will not be pushed into a bad trade because of the deadline. His activity last February was intended to bolster his team for what he knew was going to be a gruelling playoff run. While our team survived the Milwaukee Bucks, the reward was a return bout with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Over and out.

Regardless, the deals Masai made have helped the team in both the short- and medium-term. Yes, it’s too bad P.J. didn’t return, but the loss of a pair of second-round picks barely qualifies as a glancing blow. Serge has solidified the power forward position. Just for fun, I calculated the Raptors’ regular season record since he played his first game on February 24. It’s 46-18.

What about this trade deadline?

No team is perfect, although the Golden State Warriors are close. The Raptors need:

  • better rebounding and scoring at center
  • more points from the small forward spot, to take pressure off our backcourt
  • consistent 3-point shooting from the second unit

Who’s expendable:

  • Jonas Valanciunas
  • Lucas Nogueira
  • …that’s all folks (no, I’m keeping C.J. Miles, thanks)

What should/can Masai do before February 8?

I’ll tell you what Masai shouldn’t do, and that’s be rushed into anything. There’s a two-part question he has to ask himself:

  1. Is my team strong enough to make a serious run at an NBA title?
  2. If not, how can I address our needs without damaging our future?

The answer to the first question is No. While the Raptors are a strong team, there’s a lack of experience which permeates the roster. Simply getting to the NBA Finals would be a remarkable feat, as the East’s best squads pose huge problems. Sure, Boston and Cleveland are mean and nasty, but Miami, Washington and Milwaukee aren’t exactly likely to roll over.

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That answer brings question 2 into sharp focus. Setting aside far-fetched notions (maybe Bruno Caboclo will be ready to provide a playoff surprise….um, no), there aren’t many moves available. Our first-round pick in the draft is Brooklyn property now. We can’t trade our 2019 pick because of the Ted Stepien rule, and I wouldn’t advise it anyway. Being out of the first round for two straight drafts is a short cut to disaster.

You’ll be seeing trade-oriented thought pieces from us over the next few weeks. But at the deadline, I’d be surprised if the Raptors make any deals at all.

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