3 Raptors trade targets on rebuilding Western Conference teams

The Toronto Raptors will look to pursue every possible angle to improve their roster in the offseason, meaning that a considerable trade to plug up some gaping holes could come to fruition. Be it with or without an OG Anunoby trade, expect Toronto to look to make some deals.

The Western Conference is just ripe with talented players looking for a change of scenery. With the elite squads starting to really pull away from the rest of the pack, Toronto could take advantage of all of the teams looking to tinker and collect assets in the middle of a rebuild.

The Raptors have two veteran free agent power forwards that could depart in free agency, creating another area of need on this roster alongside the lack of a 7-footer in the paint and some suspect guard depth. Giving away some picks and players might be one way quickly patch those cracks.

If Masai Ujiri is so inclined, these three young players should be prioritized in trade talks. It will take some expert GM work to acquire these players without sacrificing a ton of future assets, but Ujiri and Bobby Webster have put in enough time to earn the trust of this Raptors fanbase.

3 young Western Conference players to trade for

3. Darius Bazley, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder

One of the side effects of the Thunder having so many first-round picks is the unfortunate need to kick out many top youngsters on their current roster to make room for new ones. With Oklahoma City likely to bring in Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 overall pick and another contributor at No. 12, Bazley’s days may be numbered.

Bazley averaged 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game with the Thunder last season, but some lousy efficiency numbers might make him a less attractive proposition as a player. Toronto could be the best place for him to rehabilitate his value and get back on track.

The Toronto Raptors could use Darius Bazley.

Bazley might not be the best defender right now, but he is undoubtedly the type of player who could fit in with Toronto’s uber-switchable defense if Nick Nurse instills the proper principles in him. Bazley could potentially hit around 50% of his attempts with more wide-open shots.

With the leaping ability to be a genuine problem in the right scheme, Bazley is on the verge of finding himself totally squeezed out of a role in Oklahoma City. With Toronto, his NBA career could begin anew with a defined Sixth Man role on the Raptors.