1 Toronto Raptors trade target at every position to consider

Center: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

This would be a humungous undertaking (literally and figuratively), but a like-for-like swap that sends a player like VanVleet to Phoenix might be worth pursuing. If anything, it will help the Raptors give their roster a facelift without completely sinking into seller territory before the offseason begins.

Ayton is just a few rebounds shy of averaging a double-double for the fifth season in a row. It doesn’t take Red Auerbach to see that the Raptors would benefit greatly from having a traditional center in the lineup that can be productive without dominating the ball and shooting a ton of shots. Christian Koloko might become that, but he’s far away.

Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Deandre Ayton is the golden goose.

Ayton does have a four-year contract worth essentially what VanVleet will be paid, so this likely wouldn’t alleviate the team’s thin bench or get them further away from the luxury tax. However, even amid all of this losing, it is very clear that the Raptors would have been much better if they had someone of Ayton’s caliber roaming the paint.

Ujiri might tank the remainder of the season, but he doesn’t tolerate long stints in the lottery. Adding a player like Ayton will solve a huge need, cut down on Siakam and Barnes’ heavy diet of minutes, and keep Toronto competitive in the Eastern Conference.