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3 Toronto Raptors trade targets from the 2019 NBA Draft

By Mike Luciano

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 17: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 17: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors, Brandon Clarke
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors tries to put a shot up over Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

2. PF Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies

Clarke is in the same boat as Bitadze, as he has failed to take a step forward after his rookie season. However, this is due to Jaren Jackson Jr. holding down the starting center spot rather than his own individual shortcomings. Clarke is still getting the job done.

While Clarke’s scoring (12.3 points per game his rookie year to 9.7 this season) and rebounding (5.9 to 5.2) have fallen, he’s still making 65% of his shots. That interior offense and pesky defense helped make him a Draft Twitter darling and a Grizzlies rotation mainstay. A Toronto native, Clarke would fill a ton of holes for this team.

Toronto Raptors rumors: Nick Nurse could use Brandon Clarke’s skill.

With Goran Dragic potentially appealing to Memphis due to a lack of amazing point guard depth behind Ja Morant, Clarke could be on the move. The Grizzlies are swimming in frontcourt depth, and they could use this opportunity to get a veteran rental for the playoff run.

While Clarke is a tad old for a third-year player at 25 and still a non-factor as a shooter, Memphis moving in a different direction with their frontcourt could prompt a Clarke trade. If Toronto gives up Dragic and some draft picks as part of a larger deal that helps bring him back home, Clarke could hit the ground running as a Raptor.