The Toronto Raptors have been leaking coolant over the last few weeks, as losing stars like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby right before the Trade Deadline in a competitive Eastern Conference could not have come at a more inopportune time.
The Raptors need to make some upgrades at the deadline has gone from something they probably should check off to an absolute necessity, as the play-in tournament is doing little to negate the fact that Toronto could be on the verge of their first season without playoff basketball in nearly a decade.
The Raptors won’t be the only team on the fringes of the postseason that is eyeing a playoff spot, as any number of playoff contenders could be in the market for some of the same trade targets.
The Raptors not only need to be aggressive to improve their roster, but they need to prevent trade targets from going to some of their rivals.
The Toronto Raptors need to hope these deals never get done
Division rivals and contenders on the rise could offer a much better package than Toronto if Masai Ujiri doesn’t want to give up some of his stars, meaning these three teams could potentially make life hell for a completely discombobulated Raptors team.
Raptors rumor No. 1: Boston acquires Jerami Grant from Detroit
The Celtics appear ready to finally part with some of their precious draft picks, as they want to pry Grant away from the rebuilding Pistons as they look to overcome their playoff demons. After becoming a solid fourth or fifth scoring option in Oklahoma City and Denver, Grant has stepped on the accelerator in Detroit.
Grant has averaged just under 24 points per game during his time with the Pistons, showing that he can be a featured scoring option if absolutely necessary. With Toronto’s struggles on the interior, Grant could be a game-changer if they meet again in the postseason.
If he goes to the Celtics, the lanky power forward could give Boston the scoring punch they need inside and out, which could spell doom for the Raptors.
Jerami Grant could help the Celtics pull away from the Raptors
With the Raptors likely not having the assets to trade for Grant, they need to hope that Boston doesn’t reverse course and bring Grant to Beantown. With Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Jaylen Brown all operating around the perimeter, Grant gives them more production inside.
Anunoby is a fantastic defender, but they only have one of him. If he vacillates between Tatum and Brown, who locks down Grant? Aron Baynes? Yikes.
Grant would have to give up plenty of scoring, but his play with the Nuggets last year, which helped them reach the Western Conference Finals, could be a precursor of what he might be able to do to the Raptors if the Celtics get him.
Raptors rumor No. 2: Miami acquires Nikola Vucevic from Orlando
Vuvevic, who has spent the last nine seasons in Orlando, is in the middle of one of the most peculiar seasons in recent memory. While he is last in the league in total plus-minus on a Magic team that is in contention for the top pick in the draft, Vucevic is setting new career-highs across the board, as he is scoring 24.6 points per game while pulling down 11.7 rebounds per contest.
Vucevic is under contract for two more seasons, which would give whoever tries to make a move for the former USC star optimism that he can be a building block for a couple of championship runs. If Orlando does intend to sell the Miami Heat could be interested in pairing him with Bam Adebayo.
While the return of Jimmy Butler has helped Miami overtake Toronto in the standings, the Raptors have more than a puncher’s chance at jumping over them in the standings. With Vucevic in the lineup, however, that could prove difficult.
Nikola Vucevic would give the Heat a huge edge over the Raptors
Vucevic is one of the best rebounders in the game and an impeccable finisher inside, but his value also comes into play on offense near the perimeter given his feathery touch. Some of the worst centers in the league have had field days against the Raptors this season, including Vucevic himself.
Vucevic is scoring despite the fact that Orlando doesn’t have a ton of depth around them. On a team like Miami, which could form another “Big Three” alongside Butler and Adebayo, Vucevic can leave competition like Toronto in the dust.
Raptors rumor No. 3: Brooklyn picks up Andre Drummond from Cleveland
The Raptors have been heavily linked to Drummond, who was challenging for the league’s rebounding title once again before Cleveland stuck him on the bench. The Raptors were mentioned as potential suitors for him a while back, and time has done little to erode their interest in the former UConn star.
However, the mighty Brooklyn Nets could be a potential landing spot for Drummond, as the Blake Griffin signing proves that the Nets will have a lot of pulling power among players that were recently bought out. Brooklyn is among the favorites for Drummond, and playing with the Nets is much more attractive than Toronto.
Andre Drummond on the Nets would be killer for the Raptors
The Raptors have enough bench players and expiring contracts to convince Cleveland to potentially make a trade for Drummond, as doing so might be the only thing that could prevent him from joining Brooklyn for almost nothing.
The Nets’ biggest issues right now involve securing the paint and bringing down rebounds, which are almost exactly the same issues Toronto is struggling with right now. Not only would Drummond going to Brooklyn give the Nets the perfect solution to their problems, but the Raptors would lose out on the best way to fix their own issues.