The Toronto Raptors may be fresh off some spirited performances as they began a long West Coast road trip, but Masai Ujiri is likely well aware of the fact that this team is not going to compete for a championship if they simply roll out their current alignment. Trades may be in order.
While the resurgent Chris Boucher, Dalano Banton, and Khem Birch all call Toronto home, the odds of any one of those three factoring into the long-term plans have shrunk dramatically this season. The club’s next Canadian star may have to come from outside the organization.
The Gary Trent Jr. and Thad Young trades show that Masai Ujiri is willing to unturn every stone and go down all sorts of creative paths in search of a player that can turn Toronto into a winner. If that means getting some home Canadian cooking, that’s what Ujiri will do.
These four targets are not only native sons of Canada who may like the idea of returning home and suiting up for the nation’s lone team, but they are all solid role players that can either plug a short-term hole or become a part of the Raptors’ foundation.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: 4 Canadian players to pursue.
4. Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz
While the Jazz have definitely been better than most expected, Danny Ainge is still looking at this team with an eye on the future. Olynyk, who was born in Toronto and graduated high school in Kamloops, could be an attractive veteran big to target after having a tremendous offensive season in Utah.
Olynyk is averaging 12.2 points per game, the second-highest mark of his career, while shooting 50% from the field and 41% from 3-point range. The Jazz might be willing to move Olynyk without requesting a first-round pick, putting him right in Toronto’s sweet spot.
Raptors trade rumors: Kelly Olynyk could give the team shooting.
The Raptors know Olynyk will not be an amazing defender at this stage in his career, but the resurgence of defensive ace Precious Achiuwa could provide enough cover to throw Olynyk out on the floor in bigger lineups and watch him flourish.
Olynyk has one year left on his deal at just over $12 million, which is not an outrageous price for someone that has put up the numbers he has amassed. The Raptors could get a quality veteran that this team lacks without having to dip too far into their draft capital pool.