3 trade targets Raptors must avoid pursuing in offseason

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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 29: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic plays with the ball after the whistle during the first half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Even if the Toronto Raptors don’t go big-game hunting and try to acquire Rudy Gobert this offseason, Masai Ujiri will likely try to extend his feelers out into the NBA rumor mill to see who is available. The holes on this Raptors roster are evident, and Ujiri will need to get to work on fixing them.

While Toronto has their stars all set in stone thanks to Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, the lack of scoring elsewhere on the roster should motivate Ujiri to get active in replacing some substandard players. A trade could be an excellent way to accomplish these goals if Ujiri is willing to part with some role players.

Aggression is good, but being recklessly aggressive can help Toronto undo all of the progress that they have made over the years. The Raptors need to make sure that they don’t move off of some prized assets in order to get some quick fixes that don’t solve problems on the roster.

These three trade candidates could, in theory, make for some nice acquisitions. However, considering how these players would require some significant sacrifices from a financial point of view, Ujiri needs to let some other franchise take the plunge and sign them.

3 trade candidates the Toronto Raptors must avoid.

3. Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic

Ross has a wildly inconsistent Raptors tenure after being drafted eighth overall in 2012, and he later helped Toronto win a title indirectly by bringing role player Serge Ibaka to town via a trade. Ross has had some nice seasons in Orlando, but he is coming off a down season.

Ross made just 40% of his shots and 29% of his 3-pointers. Excluding a 2017-18 season marred by injuries, this was Ross’ worst offensive season in the NBA. Ross, who will turn 32 in February, is a free agent at the end of this season. He can shoot (in theory), but there are much better options out there.

Terrence Ross might not help the Toronto Raptors.

Toronto should target a player like Gary Harris, who has better percentages and more long-term potential. The only way that adding Ross would make sense would be him somehow agreeing to a buyout deal with Orlando and joining as a cheap free agent. Giving up assets for a declining player would be short-sighted.

Adding players with a similar skill set is of the utmost importance, as Svi Mykhailiuk is not a quality backup for a team looking to contend. Ross might want out of Orlando, but Toronto is not likely to grant him the release from central Florida that he is looking out for.