The Toronto Raptors need to keep all of their options open as they get ready for the Trade Deadline, and it would be foolish for Masai Ujiri to simply check teams off as potential trade partners. Even Toronto’s Atlantic Division rivals could give them an enticing return.
The Raptors are currently in the postseason, but they are in last in the division. The New York Knicks have one of the best defenses in the league, the Boston Celtics have plenty of star power, and the Philadelphia 76ers are fighting it out with the Brooklyn Nets for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors could either give one of the top dogs a stud that could net Toronto a boatload of players and picks, or they could try to sell some of their depth in order to pry one stud away from their rivals.
Interdivision trades between contenders are rare at this time of year, but Toronto should at least ask around and see what their rivals are doing at the deadline.
These 3 Atlantic Division trades could give the Raptors a solid return
Trade No. 1: The Raptors get Tristan Thompson from the Boston Celtics
Thompson is not only a native Canadian, but he was born in Toronto. Coming home could be a very interesting proposition for Thompson, as he is facing some declining playing time in Boston despite the fact that he just signed a two-year, $19 million contract in the offseason.
The emergence of Robert Williams, the development of fellow first-round pick Grant Williams, and the solid defense of Daniel Theis could all potentially eat away at his playing time. Rather than let their expensive signing become relegated to backup work, Boston could get some spare parts from the Raptors in exchange for him.
How would Tristan Thompson help the Raptors?
Thompson is averaging 7.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Even though he isn’t having the best offensive season ever, he is provably better than Aron Baynes on the glass and in the low post and he could work wonders for Toronto if he made the trip back to his native country and started for Nick Nurse.
Davis could try to find his mojo once again in Boston, while Baynes returns to a coach in Brad Stevens that got the most out of him during his stint with the Celtics. While they will surrender another pick, as doing so might get Danny Ainge interested, the pick could easily return to them if they bottom out.
Trade No. 2: The Raptors make a trade with the New York Knicks
The Knicks, ahead of schedule in their rebuild, might make this trade a reality if center Mitchell Robinson returns from injury in the near future. The young center returning for injury could force the Knicks to once again get into a bit of a selling mood in order to make their defense even stronger, and Toronto could help them in that regard.
Noel is averaging 2.0 blocks per game, while Rivers is scoring 7.3 points per game despite being frozen out of the rotation. In the month of January, Rivers averaged 9.4 points per game while making 40% of his 3-point attempts, and he could return to that level if Nurse lets him crack the rotation.
How would Nerlens Noel and Austin Rivers help the Raptors?
Swapping Noel for Baynes could give the Raptors a center with more upside on both ends, while Rivers could fill the role Terence Davis has failed to assimilate into, as Rivers can be a point guard and shooting guard off of the bench capable of getting hot and lighting it up from beyond the arc.
Baynes and Johnson would help the Knicks go from a great defense to arguably the best in the entire league, as Johnson’s versatility could help him eek out minutes. With the Knicks potentially getting better draft position and Toronto recouping some second-round picks after trading away picks for the next two years, this trade satisfies both sides.
Trade No. 3: The Raptors trade Kyle Lowry to the Philadelphia 76ers
While Kyle Lowry did say that he would retire as a member of the Raptors, he could still be on the move, as his praise for the organization was qualified with the fact that he is considering all of his options ahead of impending free agency. Lowry leaving Toronto at the alter is still a very real possibility.
Even though Lowry is 35, he is a threat to pile up a double-double every single night, and he would be an offensive point guard with more of a perimeter game than a non-shooter like the 6-10 Ben Simmons.
How could this return help the Raptors?
Not only would trading Lowry to Philadelphia send the Philly native and Villanova alum back home, but it would give Toronto their pick of three quality shooters. They’d get a grizzled veteran an 2019 hero back in Green, an expert shooter in Curry, and a very enticing offensive player in the rookie Maxey.
Trading Lowry is by no means off the table, and the Raptors will likely have to do a deal like this if it means they can get a potential offensive cornerstone for a player like Lowry who could desert them in the offseason. Meanwhile, Lowry gets another shot at the title with Doc Rivers and the stacked 76ers.