The Toronto Raptors may not have been the most active trade partner in Donovan Mitchell talks, but they were always hanging around the sweepstakes in the off chance that the Utah Jazz decided to entertain their offer. They had to officially end their pursuit on Thursday afternoon.
Mitchell was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a shocking trade that saw Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and No. 14 pick Ochai Agbaji move to Utah. The Raptors had made some inquiries, as did the rival Knicks, but Cleveland’s late offer appeared to beat out Toronto.
Masai Ujiri might not put down the trading phone just yet, as Utah has shown they are bottoming out in the Oklahoma City mold. Anyone who could be for sale may be moved if the Raptors come with the proper collection of assets, namely first-round picks.
These 4 Jazz players could all be on the move as Danny Ainge seeks to rebuild the roster around his collection of picks. Toronto could flip a few assets Utah’s way in order to get even stronger in what has become an even more complicated Eastern Conference.
Toronto Raptors: 4 Utah Jazz players to trade for
4. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Alexander-Walker went from a top-20 pick and a critical part of the Pelicans’ future to someone struggling to get any semblance of playing time. With Sexton and Malik Beasley having arrived in Utah thanks to the two big trades, the Canadian native is unlikely to see playing time.
Alexander-Walker went from playing 26.3 minutes per game in New Orleans to just 9.9 in Utah. Despite the reduction, his 12.8 points per game with the Pelicans implies that a quality offensive stricture around him might be enough to get him performing at an elite level.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker could help the Toronto Raptors.
While the Raptors need to give up someone in order to acquire a young player with potential, his value has likely been dented to the point where Toronto can grab him without completely sinking their treasure trove of assets. Maybe a player like Khem Birch and a heavily protected pick gets the job done?
Alexander-Walker is admittedly very risky, considering how he fell off last year. Toronto needs to guess if that decline in Utah came from a lack of opportunity or a lack of skill. If it’s the former, he’d be a welcome addition to a bench that is always looking for new members.
3. Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen would likely prefer to be contending for a playoff spot, but he has been forced to trade spaced and join Will Hardy’s ragtag bunch. Markkanen might be a projected starter right now, but Utah could easily roll with Jarred Vanderbilt and get some assets in exchange for the Finnish vet.
Markkanen averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game with 44/36/87 shooting splits. A 6-10 forward who thrives from the perimeter, Markkanen seems like the type of player Ujiri and Nick Nurse typically will move mountains to acquire. Patrick Beverley didn’t stay, and Markkanen might not either.
Lauri Markkanen might fit with the Toronto Raptors.
While Markkanen has a minimum of two years left on his deal, the Raptors might be able to acquire him if they can give away a first-round pick in addition to salary filler. That might sound like a lot, but he’ll be more valuable than a late first-round pick if he becomes a consistent double-digit scorer for a championship contender.
While Thad Young and Chris Boucher make up a tremendous power forward punch in the backcourt, Markkanen is just a cut above. Cleveland made a powerful statement, so the Raptors need to punch back with something in the next few months.
2. Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson is always going to be a poor defender, but he can be an absolute flamethrower off the bench when given the green light. Clarkson has spent the last 2.5 seasons helping the Jazz remain a postseason threat, but that time could come to n end thanks to this philosophical change from Utah.
Clarkson averaged 16.8 points per game in Utah despite starting just four games. He’s more ball-dominant (14 shots per game in just 26.4 minutes per game), but Clarkson would instantly become the best and most proven scorer on a much-maligned Raptors second unit.
Jordan Clarkson makes sense for the Toronto Raptors.
Clarkson might cost a pretty penny due to his age and scoring acumen, but that’s a price Toronto might be willing to pay. Subtracting one 6-8 wing from the equation and a handful of picks for one of the game’s best bench lightning bolts could be wacky enough to work.
The addition of Otto Porter Jr. is going to do wonders for this bench, but Toronto can’t rely on one move like that to completely fix what was nearly a fatal flaw for them last season. Getting Clarkson would be quite an answer back after so many Eastern Conference teams got stronger.
1. Bojan Bogdanovic
Bogdanovic, who will turn 34 at the end of the season, remains one of the most underrated players in the league. The Bosnian veteran has been mentioned in trade talks in the past, and those rumors are destined to restart after the Mitchell trade.
Bogdanovic averaged 18.4 points per game in the last three years with insanely good 45/40/88 shooting splits. He’s limited athletically, but anyone else with those numbers would be talked up as one of the best role players in the league. If the price has gone down, he could be on his way.
Bojan Bogdanovic fits the Toronto Raptors.
Giving up premium draft capital for a 33-year-old wing who struggles on defense might not be the most conventional trade in the general manager handbook, but Ujiri might make an exception due to Bogdanovic’s bucket-getting ability. There are few short-term upgrades that will be better for Toronto.
Bogdanovic, a free agent at the end of this season, will almost assuredly become available at the trade deadline if the Raptors are not proactive in acquiring him. It might take a third team to get involved, but Bogdanovic in Toronto checks a ton of boxes.