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.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder might be in a position to start pivoting toward winning now that the three-headed monster of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Chet Holmgren is in place. However, Sam Presti is never one to turn down a deal, and he could use this to offload some excess talent.
The Thunder have nine players that were picked in the first round in the last five seasons on the roster right now. They can’t develop that much talent all at once. Getting some veterans in exchange for one of those players might be something Oklahoma City considers.
The Thunder could get older by trading with the Toronto Raptors.
The likes of Darius Bazley would be a fantastic addition, but JaMychal Green could also be worth going after. Presti has already said that the Thunder don’t plan to go into the season with Green on the roster, and Ujiri is not one to turn down the chance to add another veteran forward.
Oklahoma City needs someone with Birch’s girth and Mykhailiuk’s backcourt versatility. 11 Thunder players are 22 years old or younger, meaning that both players could sink into elder statesmen/glue guy roles as the young players start to find their footing.
1. Indiana Pacers
Even if a Buddy Hield trade gets shot down, the Pacers could be a viable Toronto trade partner. No matter how they try to spin their recent moves, they are firmly in the rebuilding tier. The Raptors could give a younger squad more vets that can provide depth.
The Malcolm Brogdon trade will likely only net Indiana one or two high-level NBA players if Aaron Nesmith develops. A team led by Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner is likely not ready for a deep playoff run. Helping the youngsters grow with these two vets would be a nice pivot.
The Pacers would do well to acquire Khem Birch, Svi Mykhailiuk.
The Raptors could be interested in a player like TJ McConnell in trade talks. A feisty defender who can run the bench unit as the backup point guard, McConnell could be moved if Indiana wants to get backups for Turner and Buddy Hield.
This trade wouldn’t necessarily send Indiana into a complete tailspin, but they can fill out the back half of a roster that was shown to be paper-thin last year. With some added responsibility in terms of their volume of shots, Svi and Khem could get themselves back to their 2021 levels of production.