The Toronto Raptors could go in several different directions before the trade deadline on March 25, but they lack a ton of pieces that could be moved in hypothetical trades due to how much money Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry are owed. One of the Raptors besides those two that could potentially be on the move is shooting guard Norman Powell.
While Powell isn’t currently in the rumor mill, he appears to be the player who will most likely be dealt in order to improve the team. Powell is a good trade piece for any team who needs a wing. He is currently averaging 16.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting the lights out of late.
Powell played well in the last couple of games when OG Anunoby was out due to a calf injury. In the last six games, Powell averaged 22.1 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game and 1.5 assists per game. Once Anunoby comes back, that should change the lineup, meaning Powell could go back to the bench.
It is necessary to send him to another team for a good center, if the goal is to acquire a big man and make a playoff run. It’s no secret that Aron Baynes is a bust at the starting center position. The only reason he’s still the starting at the center position is that there isn’t anyone who can play the five spot.
Last 5 games for Toronto (4-1)
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 11, 2021
(1)- offensive efficiency
(1)- 3PT%- 46.2%
(1)- Points off TO
(3)- Fast break points
Norman Powell
52.6%- FG
53.1%- 3PT%
95%- FT
23.6 points per
Will the Raptors move Norman Powell?
Trading Powell for a center should be number one on the priority list at the trade deadline for the Raptors. This scenario is not that dissimilar to the Serge Ibaka for Terrence Ross trade back almost four years ago to the day in 2017.
After not re-signing Bismack Biyombo during the 2016 offseason, and dealing with two greenhorns in Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam, the Raptors had to make a trade to improve their frontcourt because they were lacking a strong frontcourt at that time. Ross, despite his scoring ability, was expendable.
There was no way they were going to trade DeMar DeRozan, Lowry, or Jonas Valanciunas, as they were the three most important players on this team. Jared Sullinger was eventually traded to the Phoenix Suns for PJ Tucker, while Ross was shipped to the Orlando Magic, where he remains today, in order to get Ibaka.
Adding him worked out because Ibaka gives Toronto more frontcourt depth. Four years later, they are in a similar situation. Just like the trade from four years ago, this gives Toronto more frontcourt help. And with Powell gone, this gives Matt Thomas and DeAndre Bembry more minutes to and be in the rotation frequently.
As far as who the Raptors can get for Powell, Andre Drummond has been rumored in trade talks recently. The only problem is that it would take Powell, Baynes, a couple of picks, and three or four players because they need to match Drummond’s $28 million salary. If they’re willing to pull that off, however, Powell would need to go the other way.
Are any other Raptors available?
Besides Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Malachi Flynn, and OG Anunoby, everyone on the Raptors should be available because all of them are either free agents in 2021 or on the hook for team/player options that keep them on the team for one more year. It’s highly unlikely for Toronto to trade any of those four players before the deadline.
The latest buzz suggets that the Raptors are looking to trade Lowry to another team. Even if the idea is to send Lowry somewhere else so they can start a rebuild right away, they should not move him, as he is still a valuable piece to this team that can still be a playoff team. Why trade Lowry to get worse when you can trade someone like Powell and potentially get better?
a trade’s probably unlikely. but Collins is probably the dude I’d be most into the Raptors using their space on this summer.
— Sean Woodley (@woodleysean) February 12, 2021
Aron Baynes, scourge of the Raptors fanbase, doesn’t have enough trade value to get a good center unless they pair him with Powell, second-round picks, and maybe a first-round pick depending on how good the center is. Everyone else does not have enough value, meaning that either Powell goes or no one gets traded.
Trading Powell might be hard for some Raptors fans to stomach, as he has evolved into such a quality shooter on the outside. However, the Raptors have a real opportunity to flip the script and contend for a championship, and Powell might need to be jettisoned in order to keep them in the elite tier.