The Toronto Raptors have been rumored to be poking around the rumor mill as the trade deadline draws near. While they have barely slipped over the .500 mark, they could look to make one or two acquisitions here and there in order to plug up some holes on Masai Ujiri’s shallow roster.
Center has been frequently mentioned as a potential area in which the Raptors can upgrade. Given how poor Aron Baynes has played, it’s not unreasonable to think Toronto could trade for a player like Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond in order to give Nick Nurse a reliable inside scorer.
However, point guard remains an equally big hole. The Raptors force Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet to share the floor for heavy minutes together, and the slow development of Malachi Flynn has Toronto looking for a veteran guard that can be trusted to eat up valuable minutes as a reserve.
Adding one of these three veterans could give Toronto a quality option at point guard when both Lowry and VanVleet are sitting, get the Raptors some extra shooting on the perimeter, and add another veteran into the mix.
Adding these 3 vets could end the Raptors rumors and give Toronto some depth
No. 3: Delon Wright, Detroit Pistons
Masai Ujiri picked Wright 20th overall in the 2015 draft, as he was intrigued by the Utah product’s versatility in the backcourt. Wright never came on as the scorer Toronto expected, and the presence of Kyle Lowry often left him relegated to the bench. After being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Marc Gasol deal, Wright has since moved on to a poor Pistons team.
Wright is having his best offensive season in Detroit, as he is averaging 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 38 percent from deep. However, given the presence of Top 10 pick Killian Hayes, Wright could be traded to get Troy Weaver more draft capital to rebuild the Pistons.
Wright could return to the Raptors
Wright is starting to become a much better shooter than he was in Toronto, and his long-limbed frame can help him on the defensive end. Wright is still able to put the ball on the ground and finish near the rum, meaning he could help the Raptors maintain their aggressive style of play on offense when he checks in.
While he will need to wait a few weeks to make his hypothetical Raptors return due to a groin strain, Wright is a much more complete player than he was as a rookie, and he could be acquired without giving out substantial draft compensation. If Toronto wants a big backup that won’t demand touched, Wright is their guy.
No. 2: George Hill, Oklahoma City Thunder
Hill has quietly been one of the most effective offensive point guards in the league, as he played an integral role in some dominant Indiana Pacers team at the beginning of the decade. Hill has spent the last few years helping the Cleveland Cavaliers win the East and the Milwaukee Bucks earn the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Hill is a prime candidate to get either bought out or traded, as the Thunder are clearly both looking forward to the future and leaning on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as their primary offensive option. In need of a championship ring, Hill, averaging 11.8 points per game this season on 51% shooting this season, could look to run Toronto’s second unit.
Hill could be a quality vet off of the bench for the Raptors
Hill is one of the best shooters in the league, as he led the NBA in 3-point percentage last season. With enough quickness to blow past defenders and the soft touch to score from all levels, Hill would be perfect for Toronto’s second unit. After coming off of the bench in Cleveland and Milwaukee, Hill should be OK with giving up playing time and starts in order to win.
Hill is still a quality offensive player with a deadly 3-point shot, and his talents would be better put to use on a Raptors team looking to contend for a title as opposed to an Oklahoma City squad that is clearly building for the future. He might need to pick a new number after wearing No. 3 for his whole career, but Hill would do well to force a trade to Toronto.
No. 1: Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
Despite the fact that the Clippers are contenders in every sense of the word, they have made it known that Beverley and Lou Williams could potentially be sent elsewhere in order to add a third star alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. If Beverley is on the market, he could boost Toronto on both ends of the floor.
Beverley is famous for his reputation as one of the scrappiest players in the league, as his feisty play makes him one of the best guards in the league with regards to causing turnovers. The Raptors aren’t just trading for a Tony Allen clone, however, as Beverley is a quality scorer that has found shots hard to come by alongside the two stars in LA.
Beverley is what this Raptors team needs right now
Not only would the Raptors get an elite perimeter defender who chews on thumbtacks during timeouts, but they’ll get someone that has made 40 percent of his 3-point attempts during his four-year stint with the Clippers. When Lowry and VanVleet sit, Beverley would make life hell for opposing guards.
Beverley is not the most well-liked player in the league given his style of play, but playing guard for Nick Nurse requires tremendous defensive effort and a quality 3-point shot. Beverley provides both of those things, and he could be the perfect fiery component this Raptors team needs to become a true contender.