3 reasons Raptors should run screaming from Anthony Davis trade
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors, who have been attached to some big superstar trade rumors like that of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are always a threat to make a move for a disgruntled star. Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis may be the next player of that ilk to find a new home for himself potentially.
According to Bill Simmons, Davis could be on the market if the Lakers continue to be stalled out in their Russell Westbrook trade endeavors. Considering the franchise’s direction and their inability to win as currently constructed, these rumors may become reality.
There have been some rumblings that the Raptors could look to rework the roster in the offseason if they disappoint in April and May, but it wouldn’t be unlike Masai Ujiri to be proactive rather than reactive. A Davis trade will likely percolate around the franchise’s brain trust for months.
The Raptors are in a position to potentially add an elite game-changer via a huge trade, but Davis might not satisfy all of the things Masai Ujiri and the front office will like to see. Davis is a big name with big numbers, but the Raptors would be better spent pursuing other trades.
3 reasons the Toronto Raptors shouldn’t trade for Anthony Davis
3. Financial implications
Davis will be owed just shy of $40 million in each of the next two seasons, should he pick up an option after the 2023-24 season. After preaching financial flexibility for years, Ujiri is not going to suddenly put himself in a box for the sake of acquiring Davis.
If Pascal Siakam makes All-NBA this season, he could be supermax eligible in the offseason. Essentially, Toronto would put everything it had into the Siakam-AD-Scottie Barnes trio. While it would make them a contender in the short term, Masai Ujiri doesn’t operate that way.
Anthony Davis would cost a ton for the Toronto Raptors.
Fred VanVleet would be almost impossible to retain under these circumstances, as would defensive superstar O.G. Anunoby. While they would be a potential title favorite, adding Davis in his current state might not close the gap between them and teams like Milwaukee or Cleveland in the way some may think it would.
Davis is in that rare tier of star where it becomes almost impossible to trade for him. He’s likely not good enough to be the No. 1 option on a title team anymore and will cost the GDP of a small island nation to pay, but he is also too good for Ujiri to swipe for pennies on the dollar.