The Toronto Raptors have a $19 million anchor hanging off the end of their roster in Goran Dragic. Acquired from the Heat in the deal that sent Kyle Lowry to Miami, Dragic hasn’t played for Toronto in months after putting up some substandard numbers in just five games.
Even though he has spent the better part of his season away from the team, some clubs will get desperate and give the Raptors some players and picks in exchange for Dragic. He has a history of being an elite backup guard on a team that can go to the NBA Finals, and that has value.
Several playoff hopefuls and championship contenders have a use for Dragic’s scoring skill and experience. After averaging 13.4 points last year, teams might chalk Dragic’s poor play with Toronto up to small sample size.
The Raptors need to get rid of Dragic, as he is not providing them anything on the court. Trading him could help them get rotation players to beef up the bench in addition to draft capital. One of these four teams should try to call the Raptors about Dragic, as Masai Ujiri will be receptive.
4 trade destinations for Toronto Raptors guard Goran Dragic.
4. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets might be getting Jamal Murray back at some point in the near future, but they could still stand to add more backcourt scoring. Monte Morris and Will Barton are solid role players, but they could use one more standout in order to get over the hump.
Denver might not have much to offer in terms of high-end draft picks after the Aaron Gordon trade, but if Toronto can poach a few role players (JaMychal Green and Facundo Campazzo come to mind), they could finally get a more reliable bench than the seven-man nonsense they’ve been rolling out lately.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Goran Dragic would bolster Denver’s bench.
Denver might be near the play-un range, but a team with both Nikola Jokic and Murray healthy is a contender. The bench needs one more perimeter scorer to really take off, and Dragic might be able to give the Nuggets that kick in the rear they need in a top-heavy west.
Green and Campazzo could make up a very intriguing package for the Raptors, though a third team might need to get involved. Dragic might have “higher ambitions” than playing in Toronto, and he may still get his wish if he ends up plying his trade in Colorado.