The Toronto Raptors will likely be an active player in talks before the 2023 trade deadline comes up. The East is a chaotic mess right now, so a trade might be the best way for Masai Ujiri to set his club apart from the rest and mold yet another winner north of the border.
The were active in the offseason, retaining Thad Young and Chris Boucher while adding Juancho Hernangomez and Otto Porter Jr. via free agency. Though the bench still hasn’t been amazing, there’s been a clear upgrade from last season to this one, which could come into play when the playoffs roll around.
December 15 is an important day on the NBA calendar. Most players who signed contracts with their new teams can now officially be traded. Trade season will kick off in earnest after this date, as tanking teams will try to get Victor Wembanyama while contenders look to add pieces.
These three Raptors players will be eligible for trades in the next few days, meaning that Ujiri can really start to figure out which players will be potential chips that sweeten the pot for any enticed teams out there. A trade isn’t definite, but this trio should stay on their toes.
These 3 Toronto Raptors trade chips can be moved after December 15
3. PF Juancho Hernangomez
Hernangomez went from a player who was completely out of the rotation when he started this season to someone that has been very hard to drop from the nine-man lineup when he’s playing at his best. He looks much better than he did with Boston or Utah last year.
Since a November 11 loss against Oklahoma City, Hernangomez has averaged 6.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while making 53% of his shots and 36% of his 3-pointers. An ankle sprain was the only thing that could slow him down, as Juancho was earning starts while injuries befell the rest of the roster.
The Toronto Raptors have been impressed by Juancho Hernangomez.
Given his relatively paltry salary, Hernangomez may not be viewed by many as a trade chip the Raptors can use. However, if he keeps playing like this and Toronto wants to integrate Precious Achiuwa back into an eight-man rotation, they could include him in a deal to recoup draft capital.
Bo Cruz came into Toronto as more sizzle than steak, given his Hustle performance that helped him overtake Shaquille O’Neal and come in just behind Ray Allen on the all-time NBA player actor list. However, his play in the last few weeks doesn’t look to be a fluke, as a healthy Hernangomez is a valuable NBA rotation player.
2. SF Justin Champagnie
Champagnie may have missed most of the preseason due to an injury, but he was still able to beat out both DJ Wilson and Josh Jackson to secure the final spot on the Toronto roster. The undrafted free agent received a multi-year contract after officially settling the competition.
It’s been tough to evaluate Champagnie this season, as he has played in just three games and has received almost no minutes in situations where the game’s outcome was still up in the air. Still, one or two teams might be interested in taking him on if a trade came to fruition.
The Toronto Raptors likely won’t move Justin Champagnie.
The Raptors likely won’t budge on their mission to develop Champagnie into a rotation player, but he faces some serious obstacles on the path to consistent NBA minutes. However, he’s proven his quality in the NBA, and teams have taken notice of that.
Even if Champagnie never becomes a high-end scorer in the NBA, there will always be a market for players that play hard every possession, rebound well, and guard multiple positions. He won’t make or break a deal, but Toronto certainly isn’t making him off-limits.
1. SF Otto Porter Jr.
Porter was one of the biggest Raptors free agent signings in years, as he was fresh off winning a championship with the Warriors when he signed a two-year contract with Toronto. He’s had some nice games with the Raptors, but those games have been few and far between.
Porter’s career has been hampered by durability issues, and he isn’t going to overcome those issues by playing in just eight of Toronto’s first 26 games. Porter is making half his shots on the floor, but he’s also seen his scoring dip to just 5.5 points per game with the Raptors.
Could the Toronto Raptors move Otto Porter Jr?
The Raptors still need shooters, which will open up an avenue for Porter to return to the fold without becoming too much of a hindrance on the rotation. However, Nick Nurse has had some success with using eight-man lineups, and expanding it for the sake of accommodating Porter might not be the best plan he’s ever come up with.
Despite those concerns about Porter, the only way I could personally see him traded away is if a star was in the move and OPJ was thrown in as salary filler or a complementary piece. As it stands right now, the veteran’s blend of skills should fit in nicely with Toronto.