The Toronto Raptors need a shot in the arm as badly as any team with postseason aspirations in the league. Nick Nurse seems to be well aware of the fact that his style of play is being let down by the fact that Toronto lacks quality 3-point shooters and proven rim protectors.
Masai Ujiri needs to be very aware of the fact that failing at this trade deadline could have a ripple effect that lasts for multiple seasons. Acquisitions need to be made, but it would be foolish to part with valuable assets and multiple picks for a player that might leave after one season.
While it might be tough to get assets from Eastern Conference teams that are fighting with Toronto for a play-in spot, teams in the Western Conference might be more willing to wet Ujiri’s whistle. The Spurs gave the Raptors Thad Young last year, and another team might be in a deal-making mood.
The Raptors need to take a look at these three big men in the west, as they could help play parts in making Toronto a much more respectable offensive team with an infusion of height that they are clearly missing right now. Masai needs to start working those phones as soon as possible.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: 3 Western Conference big men to target.
3. Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs
Poeltl has been the player that a good chunk of the fanbase has circled in on, despite the fact that he will likely cost a ton of draft capital to acquire and will not fix Toronto’s issues as a shooting team. Even with those qualifications, acquiring Poeltl might help fix the defense.
Poeltl is averaging 12.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while continuing to earn All-Defensive Team praise for his ability to lock down the paint despite poor support around him. Ujiri used a top-10 pick on him once upon a time, so he clearly admires his two-way skillset.
Will the Toronto Raptors land Jakob Poeltl?
Poeltl is a free agent after this season, which will make it hard to retain him long-term and somehow find a way to feel a deep, competitive team around Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. However, few available big men fill Toronto’s need in as effective a manner as Poeltl would.
Poeltl isn’t getting out of San Antonio without giving up at least one first-round pick, so making this deal will be an extremely risky proposition. However, the need for a center is so dire that the Raptors may not have another choice if they want to improve via the trade market.
2. James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors
Wiseman’s future in Golden State appears to be very bleak, as the Warriors have failed in their quest to compete for a championship while simultaneously developing their young talent. They got another ring, but it came at the expense of Wiseman’s development.
Wiseman has been assigned to the team’s G League affiliate in Santa Cruz in order to get minutes that Golden State would not give him. Wiseman just doesn’t have a path to playing time with the Warriors, but Toronto might be able to add a 7-footer with premium athleticism at a fraction of his true market value.
The Toronto Raptors could use James Wiseman.
Wiseman may never become an elite defender, which is the source of both Golden State’s irritation and Toronto’s current interior woes, but he has incredible offensive potential that could help turn him into a valuable contender with designs on a postseason spot.
With Christian Koloko already proving to be a fabulous shot-blocker as a rookie who will need a ton of time before becoming a viable offensive player, the two could create a nice yin-yang situation if the Raptors pull this move off. There’s no way someone with Wiseman’s talent will just fall out of the NBA.
1. Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz
Olynyk was born in Toronto and went to high school in Kamloops, so it’s only fitting that the league’s lone Canadian team tries to see what it will take to acquire him. Even though they’ve exceeded expectations this season, the Jazz will likely look to get assets for Olynyk.
Olynyk is averaging 12.9 points and 5,0 rebounds per game this season, but his 43% 3-point percentage this season is the trait that might attract Toronto more than any other. He’s not a fantastic defender, but he can space the floor and score in ways Juancho Hernangomez can’t.
Kelly Olynyk could fit the Toronto Raptors.
While Danny Ainge and the Jazz are so obsessed with draft picks that they will likely dig their heels in and insist on a big payday, Olynyk is a rare case of an aging veteran who might not require that level of capital. Perhaps a player and a few seconds can get a deal done.
Freshly recovered from an injury, it’s time for Olynyk to show off what he’s made of as contending teams circle above. His work with Boston and Miami shows that he can be a nice role player for a championship team in the right situation.