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.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers added Rajon Rondo after the injury to Ricky Rubio, but he has not solved their need for more bench offense. If the Raptors are willing to trade Dragic for Rubio’s expiring contract and a draft pick, they could get some solid compensation for their Slovenian veteran.
Darius Garland has been electric this season, but adding a veteran with experience behind him during his first playoff journey wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world. WIth Rubio done for the year, Dragic scoring at all would provide them with more value down the stretch.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Goran Dragic makes sense for the Cavaliers.
Why would Toronto add for Rubio when he wouldn’t play for them? Well, they’ve shown they’re willing to go with a shortened rotation to win critical games. At least this gets Dragic out of town and helps get a draft pick back as compensation. Isn’t building a quality young team what this year is all about?
Dragic is not going to be a good defender at this stage in his career, but he could still slice through the paint and spot up from 3-point range. While the Raptors might not get extra rotation help in this Dragic package, it could help Toronto get some drat compensation while Cleveland adds a battle-scarred veteran.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies went from an intriguing playoff team to a squad that is absolutely capable of making it to the NBA Finals. Ja Morant as the heliocentric superstar and the likes of Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been playing their roles as supporting cast members with aplomb.
If Memphis wants to make one more addition, taking on a backup point guard with more scoring experience than Tyus Jones and the superb De’Anthony Melton would make a ton of sense. Dragic can be had, as Memphis has three non-lottery first-round picks to trade away in ant sort of trade.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Goran Dragic could back up Ja Morant.
If the Raptors want to get an ace bench player back in this swap, look no further than Kyle Anderson. While he has fallen out of the starting lineup, he averaged a career-high in points per game last season. He could become the best player on this bench if this trade happens.
Toronto could have one pick on the fringes of the lottery and a pick that originally belonged to either Memphis or Utah in the late 20s if they get this Dragic deal done. With Morant likely heading into the playoffs as a favorite, having Goran behind him will be invaluable.
1. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have been Dragic’s preferred destination, as the idea of playing alongside countryman Luka Doncic on a team with title aspirations has plenty of positive aspects to it. Unfortunately, the emergence of Jalen Brunson has made trading for Dragic more difficult to pull off.
With Brunson playing the best basketball of his career, Dwight Powell is now the only asset that could eat up a large chunk of salary. The need to get a point guard has dampened somewhat, but that won’t stop this Mavs front office from trying to get a deal work out of they reciprocate Dragic’s overtures.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Will Dallas finally get Goran Dragic?
The Mavericks can always rely on Doncic to bail them out, but having another replacement behind him could be the difference between winning or losing a pivotal playoff game. If they value Dragic that much, they need to pursue him.
This front office has clearly not been shy about moving picks in exchange for veterans, and they shouldn’t let Dragic’s age be a deterrent. Dragic may, in effect, “win” his standoff with the Raptors by ending up in Dallas, but Toronto shouldn’t care as long as the Mavericks compensate them well.