Raptors: 3 teams who may trade for Khem Birch, Svi Mykhailiuk
By Mike Luciano
If the Toronto Raptors end up deciding not to go after Kevin Durant, it stands to reason that most of the offseason heavy lifting has already been accomplished. If Masai Ujiri wants to make one more addition, trading Khem Birch and Svi Mykhailiuk will free up a roster spot in a 2-for-1 deal.
It can be reasonably argued that these two were the most individually disappointing players in last year’s fantastic season. Birch struggled with injuries and consistency over the course of the year, while Mykhailiuk devolved from a trusted starter to a rotation afterthought.
Including both of them in a trade package could help out a team who needs depth to take on two NBA veterans. Toronto might get one better player out of the deal, which would help out both sides in a significant way if the two discarded players get back to their old selves.
These three teams might be daring enough to take Ujiri up on this offer. The Raptors could beef their bench up and give younger players a chance to earn extended minutes while Birch and Mykhailiuk try to figure things out elsewhere.
Toronto Raptors: 3 teams who may trade for Khem Birch, Svi Mykhailiuk
3. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons may no have landed some of the big free agents that many expected they would thanks to oodles of cap space, but they still gave enough assets needed to do some damage on the trade market. They could take Mykhailiuk and Birch off Toronto’s hands.
Even in his new gig, Dwane Casey has fancied himself as someone who can work with young talent. With Mykhailiuk needing someone to believe in him following a down season and Birch providing a solid veteran mentor for Jalen Duren, there’s a path to success for both of them in Detroit.
The Detroit Pistons may trade with the Toronto Raptors.
One player who could be a reasonable Raptors target is point guard Killian Hayes. While his value is at an all-time low after two disappointing seasons, Ujiri could take a gamble on a highly-touted prospect with size that could benefit from Nick Nurse’s shooting school.
Detroit will eventually contend for some postseason glory if Cade Cunningham continues his upward ascent, but they aren’t going to hit their stride this year. Parting with Hayes and giving Cunningham as much leeway as possible could lead to a mutually beneficial trade with Toronto.