The Toronto Raptors can officially move past draft mode now that Christian Koloko has been secured and figure out how to better improve the roster via trade and free agency. Masai Ujiri is always looking for big names that can change the course of a given game, but eying some buy-low names might appeal to him as well.
Some veterans are just not in the right situation, plain and simple. Be them experienced players stuck on teams who will likely miss the playoffs or youngsters looking to breakout despite a lack of game time, several smaller deals will be consummated in the next few days.
Toronto will need to get a sense of what the situation with Thad Young and Chris Boucher is before they move in on one of these players. However, if Ujiri sees the need to make a frontcourt upgrade in the coming days, a trade could be in the works.
All three of these players might be able to be had for less than market value thanks to a confluence of unfortunate circumstances. Some effective negotiation from Ujiri and Bobby Webster could be enough to get a deal done and help steal a player for pennies on the dollar.
3 buy-low trade targets for the Toronto Raptors to chase.
3. JaMychal Green, Oklahoma City Thunder
Of these three hypotheticals, Green is the most likely one to be dealt. Thunder GM Sam Presti has already said that he is working on finding the veteran a place “not with us” after acquiring Green in a trade with division rival Denver. If Boucher or Young leaves, Green could be a worthwhile replacement.
Green averaged 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 47/37/85 shooting splits in his two-season stint with the Nuggets. Just a few seasons removed from being a consistent double-digit per-game scorer with the Grizzlies and Nuggets, Green could be a solid replacement for Boucher or Young.
JaMychal Green could fit the Toronto Raptors.
Over the last few years, Green’s stats have come within the context of winning games on successful teams, so Nick Nurse should feel confident in his ability to translate his production. Green’s defense and mobility will help earn him minutes in the rotation and the trust of Nick Nurse.
Green may have cost a first-round pick (albeit No. 30 overall) to acquire, but a team with as many picks as Oklahoma City could kick one Denver’s way to facilitate a deal. Green will not cost such an extravagant price to come to Toronto, which could help Ujiri replace one of their free agents.