While the Toronto Raptors will likely be overturning every stone possible in their quest to make themselves a viable postseason contender, they won’t be the only team in the Atlantic Divison that will be trying to remake their roster. All five teams in this division are in the postseason hunt.
While the Nets and 76ers will try to make an impact addition to prove they are legitimate championship contenders, the Celtics and Knicks will look for players that can help raise their ceiling and make them viable postseason squads. Toronto needs to be wary of what their foes are planning.
While the Raptors currently occupy a playoff spot and have been playing some connected, united basketball over the last few weeks, they should watch what their division rivals are up to. One big move could upset the team’s rhythm and flow, which could have some catastrophic consequences.
These 3 trade rumors have been marinating in the rumor mill, and none of them would be good news for the Raptors. All fans can do is cross their fingers and pray that these deals start to collapse and burn at the eleventh hour.
3 trade rumors that would be bad for the Toronto Raptors.
3. Marcus Smart to Minnesota
After Jake Fischer mentioned that the Timberwolves were looking to add a third point guard to the mix next to D’Angelo Russell and Patrick Beverley, and SKOR North host Darren Wolfson claimed that Minnesota might be interested in acquiring Smart for a package centered around Malik Beasley.
In addition to Beasley, Wolfson quoted a source who said that either Jaden McDaniels or a first-round pick would have to head to the Celtics in exchange for Smart. Considering what a funky fit Smart would be on that roster, Boston, who is right next to Toronto in the standings, will have fleeced Sachin Gupta.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Marcus Smart could get Boston a haul.
The Timberwolves already have a feisty veteran point guard in Beverley. Why would they add someone who is making just 41% of his shots this season in Smart? Why would they consider giving up a player like McDaniels, who has become a spot starter for the Wolves, to get the redundant Smart?
With Beasley, a robust bench scorer who has experience scoring 20 points per game, and McDaniels, a switchable big with verticality, the Celtics could finally be deep enough to leapfrog the Raptors in the postseason hunt. Smart wouldn’t make sense for Minnesota, but the team that could be negatively impacted the most might be Toronto.