The Toronto Raptors are on the hunt for a second-unit star at the trade deadline, as they are firmly in the playoff hunt despite a bench that ranks as the absolute worst in the league. Based on the latest buzz, it would appear that Toronto is targeting size and strength.
While Chris Boucher has come on strong lately and Precious Achiuwa has emerged as a quality defender, Toronto still lacks traditional height and muscle in the paint. That could cause some problems if they make it to the postseason given the deluge of quality big men in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto has been linked to some interesting names over the last few weeks, with a move that features them potentially landing Danilo Gallinari gaining some steam lately. However, if the Raptors want someone that can bolster the bench and swat away shots at the rim, they need to be willing to part with a ton of capital.
The Raptors will have plenty of options at their disposal when it comes to making additions at the deadline. However, there are several elite options on the market that would require Toronto to part with a whole load of assets if it means that they can potentially add a franchise-changer.
Should the Toronto Raptors make a move for one of these centers?
Good: Jusuf Nurkic
With Portland fresh off trading CJ McCollum and Norman Powell, they have dipped fully into rebuild mode. While they don’t have any other centers on the roster, they could continue the tear-down by sending Nurkic away to Toronto and letting him plug some holes over there.
Nurkic has been linked to the Raptors, and it’s easy to see why. A bruising big man who can reel off double-doubles consistently thanks to his rebounding, Nurkic would boost a team that ranks near the bottom of the league in defensive glass-crashing. Still, there are some concerns with the Bosnian big.
Raptors rumors: Jusuf Nurkic would be a muscular center in the paint.
On top of the fact that his lumbering style of play might not mesh with a Raptors team that wants to switch as much as possible on defense, Nurkic is a free agent at the end of this season. Adding a half-season rental might not be very appealing for Masai Ujiri and this front office.
At the end of the day, Toronto coming away from the deadline with Nurkic would be a solid addition. They need muscle in the paint, and he’d provide that in addition to some nice interior finishing. However, given his impending free agency, there are better options out there.
Better: Nicolas Claxton
The same piece that linked Toronto to Nurkic also had them going after Claxton, a former second-round pick averaging 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Given his style of play, he might be a better fit on this Raptors roster, as Ujiri and Nick Nurse value mobility and versatility in their big men.
Claxton can defend four positions on the floor, as his quick footwork paired with a frame gradually getting more muscular helps make him one of the few above-average defenders the Nets have at their disposal. It doesn’t take the most observant Raptors fan in the world to see where the Georgia product would fit on this roster.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Nicolas Claxton is a perfect switchable big.
Claxton is not a shooter at this moment in time, though Nick Nurse will try to get him in the same shooting boot camp that he put Boucher and Scottie Barnes in over the last few years.
Claxton is also due for an extension soon, and that could complicate things for a Raptors team that needs to lock up Barnes, Fred VanVleet, and Gary Trent Jr. beyond 2023.
While he might not provide as much in terms of immediate returns when compared to some of the more experienced players in the rumor mill, Claxton very much fits the profile of players that this organization values. Will the Nets be a motivated seller?
Best: Myles Turner
The Pacers are kicking off a proper rebuild this season, as they have already traded Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis to Cleveland and Sacramento, respectively. If they want to build around Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon, they could deal Turner away for more draft assets.
Turner, who is on pace to lead the league in blocked shots, would be the rim protector this team needs while flexing his muscles as a capable 3-point shooter. Skilled enough offensively in the paint, Turner can finally help Toronto defend the bigger centers that have given them trouble over the course of this season.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Myles Turner would change how the team plays.
If the Pacers were unwilling to trade Sabonis until a player like Tyrese Haliburton was included in the mix, that doesn’t bode well for Toronto’s chances of getting him without giving up significant capital.
Still, reports from Jake Fischer claim that Toronto has discussed trading for Turner while giving up Goran Dragic and a future first-round pick. Even if they need to sweeten up that offer just a bit, trading for Turner would be a sign that Toronto is back among the best teams in the league.