The Toronto Raptors have a record of 11-13 after a tough 128-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. It has been a struggle this season, at times, but the Raptors are very much in the thick of the playoff hunt right now.
The roster is flawed. It is overwhelmed with players you could consider projects like Matt Thomas, DeAndre Bembry, and even Yuta Watanabe. There are too many guards and not enough useful frontcourt players.
Another issue is the uncertainty in the front office. Masai Ujiri, long considered the team architect, still has not signed a contract extension, and rumors of the Washington Wizards’ interest in him are resurfacing. Despite ALL of those issues, the Raptors are fielding a competitive team.
Siakam should have dropped that for Norm so they could have had 3 30-point scorers
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) February 9, 2021
At the moment, OG Anunoby has missed games due to a calf strain dating back to January 31st, 2021, hampering the team’s success on the court. There have been multiple ideas discussed to change the team’s direction, like trading Kyle Lowry or Pascal Siakam.
With trade rumors circling this team, it’s time to take a look at some options the Raptors could potentially add and decide if Ujiri should either pass on them or pursue them to improve.
Toronto Raptors trade target No. 1: Blake Griffin
The Raptors desperately need some size in the frontcourt, whether it be a power forward or center. In today’s game, smaller lineups excel just as well as traditional ones if the right players on the court.
Griffin, a power forward with the Detroit Pistons, could be considered an option to fill the Raptors’ needs of a big man. However, Griffin is 31 years old and coming off an injury-plagued 2020 in which he only played in 18 games. He comes with a hefty price tag that pays him over $36 million this season and $38 million next if he opts in after signing a five-year contract in 2017.
Should the Raptors take a chance on the former All-Star?
The positives to adding Griffin are his rebounding, where he averages 8.8 per game for his career. The Raptors are 27th in the NBA in that category and desperately need help. The problem is that Griffin has seen a decline in his rebounding totals averaging 5.4 in 17 games this season and 4.7 last year.
While an above-average shooter for a player at his position, his overall scoring is way down at 12.2 points per game. It was just two seasons ago in 75 games that Griffin was averaging 24.5 points a game. Throw in the fact that he hasn’t dunked all season long, and it’s clear that Griffin is on the back nine in his career
The Raptors’ best bet would be to wait for a Piston’s buyout of Griffin and sign him at a veteran minimum. Otherwise, an inadvisable trade of Lowry, Powell, and a 1st round draft pick could be made for Griffin to address the Raptors’ frontcourt needs, but the Raptors would be getting a shell of the superstar that is Griffin.
Verdict: Pass.
Toronto Raptors trade target No. 2: Andre Drummond
Drummond is another veteran big man, this time a true center who could help the Raptors in the post. Drummond is 6-10 and 279 pounds, meaning he would instantly provide the Raptors with size on the interior
He won’t offer the three-point shot Griffin has, which is already their go-to play in half-court sets. However, they need what Drummond provides. He’s a big who can set hard screens, roll to the basket, and catch lobs over the top for easy baskets.
Should the Raptors take a chance on the former All-Star?
He is also a player who can dominate the backboards, wherein 22 games with Cleveland, he is averaging 14.2 rebounds, with 4.1 coming on the offensive glass. His 18.6 points a game are nothing to sneeze at either. Drummond is an instant double-double machine.
After the multiplayer team deal that sent James Harden to Brooklyn, it was widely expected that Drummond was about to be traded or bought out. Drummond is in the final year of the max deal he signed in 2016 and is making $28.7 million this season.
The idea that Kyle Lowry is getting traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Andre Drummond is just nuts in real life.
— Charles Simon (@cannonshell) February 8, 2021
The Raptors would be better served waiting to see if Drummond is bought out, but the Cavs seem to have no interest in doing so. Therefore the framework of a deal again involving Lowry and three first-round picks could get the Raptors a true center lost when Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol were both allowed to leave in free agency.
Solving the center issue could make the Raptors legit title contenders. If it costs a few years of draft capital to make that dream a reality, Ujiri might need to go for broke once more and consummate this trade.
Verdict: Pursue.
Toronto Raptors trade target No. 3: Mo Bamba
The Raptors have come calling on the Orlando Magic before in the last few years for help at the center position, as it was a 2017 trade of Terence Ross that allowed the Raptors to acquire Serge Ibaka. They could try to take a gamble on a failing first-rounder in Bamba.
While not as adept offensively as Griffin, Drummond, or even Serge Ibaka, Bamba would fit the Raptors system nicely. In his third season, the young seven-footer could provide a great one-two punch with Chris Boucher by providing some lane intimidation and defense.
Primarily a role player to this point in his career, he also fits the Raptors program of talent development. Drafted in 2018, Bamba is still on his rookie deal, a manageable contract at $5.9 million this season and $7.5 million next. Despite that, Bamba has fallen behind Nikola Vucevic and Khem Birch in the rotation
Could Bamba reach his full potential with the Raptors?
As Bamba is not necessary for Orlando, he could be acquired cheaply by the Raptors front office and given a chance to play regularly for Toronto.
Bamba has a 7-10 wingspan and the athletic ability to run the floor and finish close shots on the offensive end that the likes of Aron Baynes continue to miss. Finishing high-percentage looks and swatting away challenges from the opposing side could end up making the Raptors a contender while revitalizing the career of the much-hyped Bamba.
Verdict: Pursue.
Toronto Raptors trade target No. 4: Ricky Rubio
The pursuit of a point guard seems odd for the Raptors. They did draft one at the 2020 NBA draft in Malachi Flynn. Further, he was recently sent down to the Raptors 905, who begin play in a 15 game schedule on February 10th, 2021.
The Raptors also employ, since last season, a double-point guard starting lineup with Lowry and Fred VanVleet. One under-discussed problem with the Raptors’ mediocre season to date is ball security and unforced errors.
Could Rubio get back on track in Toronto?
At the moment, Lowry and Vanvleet combine for an average of 4.9 turnovers per game, and Siakam adds another 2.4. Both Lowry and VanVleet tend to be score-first point guards as well. Rubio is a great passer and ball-handler who enjoys setting his teammates up for good scoring opportunities.
In his now 10-year career, he is averaging 11.1 points and 7.7 assists per game. However, this season, in his second stint with the team that drafted him in the Minnesota Timberwolves, he has only started seven of 21 games. His scoring average has fallen to 6 points and 5.9 assists in just over 23 minutes per game.
Like Bamba, he is a player not needed by his current team. He is backing up D’Angelo Russell, but the Timberwolves are 6-17 on the season. At 30 years old, his productivity is already dwindling as he has gone from a +2 between offensive and defensive rating last season to a -17 this year and role player duties. He would not be better for Toronto than Lowry or VanVleet, and he is a weak defender.
Rubio is under contract for $17 million this year and $17.8 million next season. The Timberwolves acquired Rubio for two late first-round picks in 2021, so he is probably a fairly reasonable pick up via trade. The question is should the Raptors be interested?
At that price, certainly not.
Verdict: Pass