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Toronto Raptors: 3 offseason moves that make Toronto competitive

By Jason Mills

TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with teammates after sinking a buzzer beater to win Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with teammates after sinking a buzzer beater to win Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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The second half of this season has started with more struggles for Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors. A trio of tough losses, one via a buzzer-beater three in a 121-120 loss to Atlanta, a disappointing effort in a 114-104 loss to Charlotte Saturday night, and a Sunday Night blowout at the hands of the Chicago Bulls leave Toronto five games under .500.

With the March 25th trade deadline approaching in just over a week and a half from now, there is no hint whether the Raptors are sellers or buyers to close out this season. Sitting two games out of the eighth and final playoff spot and ten back of first-place Philadelphia, it’s hard to judge what the right move should be at this time.

The one clear and obvious weakness that, if adequately addressed, could make this team a playoff contender is acquiring a starting center/big. There has already been movement through the league that could help the Raptors, like the Houston Rockets releasing DeMarcus Cousins or the San Antonio Spurs mutually agreeing to let LaMarcus Aldridge wait at home pending a contract buyout or trade.

Similarly, Andre Drummond has already been sitting at home awaiting a resolution of his contract buyout or a trade away from the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is possible that any of these three players could help the last-place rebounding Raptors.

Should the Toronto Raptors wait until the offseason to make moves?

For the Raptors to produce a .500 record this season, they will need to win 19 more games. They couldn’t do that in the first half with just 17, and teams will now be getting serious about securing a playoff position which Toronto does not possess at the moment.

It may make sense to play out the season and consider these three transactions in the off-season to retool for the 2021/22 season.