1 Toronto Raptors trade target at every position to consider

The Toronto Raptors are gearing up for what could be a major change in how the franchise looks in the next few years. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. have ad solid Raptors careers, but that duo could be among the names that Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster decide to trade away in the pursuit of more draft capital and young players.

Toronto is likely going to change their whole roster, leaning into the Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes experiences while building a bench that teams across the league will actually fear. That philosophy can only be implemented if this front office makes some huge trades in relatively short order.

The Raptors are likely smart enough not to just accept the first offer that comes to them. Ujiri likely has a list of young players on controllable contracts or veterans with more than one year remaining on their current deals that can make an impact during the remainder of the 2023 season and the beginning of next year.

The Raptors could add an impact player at every position if they are serious about remaking the team and turning themselves into winners without a ton of time spent in the lottery. Toronto needs to target any number of these five players, each of whom can star for the Raptors at a different position.

Toronto Raptors trade rumors: 1 target at every position.

Point Guard: Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic

The Magic are currently on point guard overload, as there is no way for Anthony, Jalen Suggs, and Markelle Fultz to all get reps. If Orlando ends up committing to Suggs and acquiring a long-term solution like VanVleet, Anthony could be on his way up north in an attempt to get his career the nitro boost it needs.

Anthony may be averaging under 12 points per game, but that’s the result of increased competition from Suggs and Paolo Banchero taking his shots away. His efficiency is up when compared to last year, and he is every bit as dynamic an athlete as he was when he came out of North Carolina. The Raptors would be silly not to consider him.

Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Cole Anthony brings speed, athleticism.

Anthony may not be the most ready-made 3-point shooter in the world, but he is certainly more of a competent VanVleet replacement than Malachi Flynn could ever hope to be. Some team is going to steal him away from Orlando and reap the benefits.

Suppose Anthony can shoot at even a league-average rate. In that case, the Raptors could use their promising lottery pick on the best player available rather than trying to potentially overdraft a point guard who doesn’t fit them. Anthony’s future in Orlando looks grim, and the Raptors would be wise to free him from those shackles.