Raptors: 2 pros and cons of trading for LaMarcus Aldridge

Pro-Aldridge point No. 2: He’d start at center over Aron Baynes

This dead horse has officially been beaten for far too long, but it deserves a mention once again because of how obvious the downgrade at center between last year’s 53-19 team and this year’s 17-19 team is. Baynes has failed to match the offensive production from his breakout season last year in Phoenix.

The Raptors can, on any given day, start two rising stars in Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, a decorated power forward in Pascal Siakam, and a future Hall of Famer in Lowry. With Norman Powell starting to emerge, Baynes is the clear weak link, and Aldridge would be a massive upgrade over him in that regard.

Aldridge could be a huge offensive upgrade for the Raptors

Baynes is what he is. He can grab some rebounds and set tough screens, but this year is proving that his wonderful season with the Suns last year was more of an exception than a rule, and Toronto needs to add someone with size and a soft touch near the rim.

Aldridge would be an expensive short-term addition, but he could be the sort of aggressive addition that Ujiri needs to make if he wants to both keep up with the rest of a very competitive division and stave off competition as Toronto looks to escape the randomness of the play-in tournament.