As we approach the trade deadline, it’s a perfect time to assess the trade value of each player on the Toronto Raptors and rank the roster accordingly.
The Toronto Raptors have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. No, they’re not the Golden State Warriors; no one is. But when comparing against the other 29 teams, Toronto can match any of them. With that talent, comes a lot of trade value.
Trade value is the most important component. However, there are many more elements which come into play when determining a players trade value; long-term potential, salary cost, salary length and plenty of other elements also factor in.
How much each aspect matters, depends on what team you’re dealing with. What’s important to the Denver Nuggets is not important to the Atlanta Hawks. In fact, trade value can vary dramatically even from contender to contender. The Indiana Pacers could use a point guard. The Golden State Warriors, not so much.
When considering a player’s value to a singular team, the state of the franchise, as well as positional need, are significant factors. Trade value is truly dependent on the team you are trading with.
However, when judging the overall value of a player across 29 teams, those factors are somewhat averaged out and a general hierarchy that exists. An easy way to think about it is if Masai Ujiri made every player available in trade discussions this trade deadline, who would receive the largest return.
That return can even change from year-to-year. Pascal Siakam‘s value has certainly gone up since the last deadline. C.J. Miles has gone down. Still, let’s take a look at where every Raptor ranks, starting with the value-less.