The perfect 4-point plan to the fix the broken Toronto Raptors
By Mike Luciano
3. Trade for D’Angelo Russell
While several high-end trade targets on the market can help Toronto retool in anticipation of a postseason charge, none are more interesting from an offensive perspective (while still staying in the realm of possibility) than Russell. The Timberwolves may look to swap him out and build around Anthony Edwards.
The former No. 2 overall pick is a free agent at the end of this season, which could make his asking price less steep. Even though his scoring has dipped to 17.0 points per game this year, that’s mostly due to the fact that his shot attempts have decreased with all the star power.
D’Angelo Russell could thrive with the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors may need to get a third team involved, but they could add a difference-maker if they pull this off. Trading Gary Trent Jr. or Fred VanVleet would be a stunning move, but Ujiri would be a fool to completely rule out moving both of them due to their player options.
The Raptors might be able to be better positioned for the future if they can add a talented 6-5 scorer with plenty of gas left in the tank like Russell. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but there are very few scorers of his level that can be had for an efficient price.
Perhaps including VanVleet in a three-team trade that brings Russell back could mirror the Trent-Norman Powell swap with the Blazers.