The Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings have been complete opposites in terms of their on-court success over the last decade, but both franchises could be in a position to make moves at the trade deadline in order to make sure they end up in the playoffs.
Sacramento could be in the mood to make a deal, as they haven’t made the playoffs since 2006. With the latest buzz out of northern California implying that this team could look to be a very active trade partner, Toronto may need to get the Kings on the phone.
Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required) is reporting that Monte McNair has made nearly every player except for De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton available. While they have been a laughingstock in this league, Sacramento has some promising pieces.
While the Kings are looking to make win-now moves that could help them make the postseason, they could eventually relent in their desire to go for it in 2022 and sell some assets for picks. Maybe they and Toronto could exchange veteran assets to better fill their respective needs as they gear up for the playoffs?
These 3 Kings could be in the rumor mill, which could prompt Masai Ujiri and the Raptors to pounce.
The Toronto Raptors could trade for these 3 Sacramento Kings.
3. PG/SG Jahmi’us Ramsey
Why would the Raptors be interested in a second-year player that has barely cracked the rotation and is averaging just 2.5 points per game on 39% shooting? Well, Malachi Flynn and Dalano Banton have been so poor that the Raptors have decided to play without a traditional backup point guard, and Ramsey could help plug that hole.
Flynn might need a fresh start, as a former first-round pick being unable to integrate himself as a second-unit star in his sophomore season is not a good look. With Ramsey overwhelmed by a deluge of ball-handlers on the Kings, perhaps Toronto and Sacramento could swap these two? Ramsey might profile as the better offensive player.
Toronto Raptors: Will Jahmi’us Ramsey be better than Malachi Flynn?
Pay no mind to his 3-point percentage in the NBA due to his lack of volume. Ramsey made 42.4% of his 3-pointers while taking over five per game at Texas Tech. Capable of playing off-ball while setting up the offense at point, Ramsey could fit better with the Raptors than Flynn.
Considering how it is trending with both of these franchises, Ramsey and Flynn may need new homes next season. Why shouldn’t both franchises get an early look at some potential replacements? Given Ramsey’s shooting and athletic ability, he could end up getting minutes down the stretch.
2. PF Marvin Bagley III
We’ve mentioned a Bagley trade several times, and the lack of a truly dominant post presence in Toronto has prompted the need to look for reinforcements elsewhere. As horrific as Bagley can be on defense at times, there’s no doubt that he’d be the best bench scorer on the team if he got traded to Toronto.
Bagley might only be averaging 8.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this year, but that is because Luke Walton and Alvin Gentry have cut into his playing time. Toronto has plenty of frontcourt options, but none of them possess the offensive ceiling that Bagley has.
Toronto Raptors: Marvin Bagley III has some potential.
Bagley is going to get picked up in free agency by some team intrigued by how he can score. With Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher incredibly inconsistent from day to day and Khem Birch a below-average offensive player, the temptation to swoop in for Bagley is still there.
Bagley needs someone that believes in him and his ability to be a consistent scorer in this league. The Raptors could give him that opportunity given the troubles they have had on the bench. If his defense improves even slightly, Bagley could potentially find a home north of the border.
1. SG Buddy Hield
This is one is a major longshot, as acquiring him would likely force Toronto to surrender years of draft capital while potentially getting a third team involved to move Goran Dragic and make the money match up. However, if the planets aligned and this deal became finalized, Hield would be ideal for this Toronto bench.
The Bahamian guard, who just turned 29, is one of the game’s premier 3-point marksmen, shooting 40% on 7.6 attempts per game in his career. Already used to coming off the bench, Hield could bring his 15.8 points per game average to the Raptors bench, where he would get the greenest light ever.
Toronto Raptors: Buddy Hield could change Toronto’s bench.
The Raptors have the worst bench in the league and a general lack of amazing shooting outside of one or two standouts. Hield would be good for an automatic 15 points a night, which is more than the entire bench combines for on occasion. He’s also locked up beyond this season.
Toronto is likely not in a position to part with the draft picks needed to acquire Hield. Still, if he is on the move given Sacramento’s direction and the fact that the offseason’s failed Lakers trade signifies a willingness to include him in trade talks, he could singlehandedly take that bench from unwatchable to respectable.