Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors might be moving closer to selling than they have been in years, as a run of poor form has them currently outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture. While they haven’t made a decision on buying or selling just yet, it would take a sharp reversal in play to convince Ujiri they need to win now.
The Raptors have arguably the three most attractive trade chips currently on the market. Fred VanVleet is a champion and All-Star point guard, Gary Trent Jr. is an ascending young guard and expert marksman, and the disgruntled OG Anunoby remains one of the best two-way players at any position in the league.
In a league that has been dominated by parity, dozens of teams may think they have an outside shot at making some noise in a postseason scenario. This could prompt a frenzy at the deadline, with multiple teams fighting with one another to secure one of these big names.
Multiple teams across the league are so desperate to find that one player who will turn them into a contender that they could be willing to quench Toronto’s trade thirst and overpay to an unusual degree. Ujiri and Bobby Webster should be trying to get a deal done with one of these four teams.
4 desperate teams who could trade with the Toronto Raptors.
4. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets might get an unprecedented three consecutive MVP seasons out of Nikola Jokic, but some roster mismanagement and comically unfortunate injury luck have prevented them from advancing past the Western Conference Finals with Jokic on the team. That might come to an end if they nail it at the deadline.
Imagine a player like Anunoby in Denver. Jamal Murray and Anunoby making up an ultra-big backcourt with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon ending up on the receiving end of Jokic’s passes would be one hell of a roster to overcome for the rest of the West.
Will the Denver Nuggets trade with the Toronto Raptors?
One player the Raptors could end up with in a hypothetical trade is point guard Bones Hyland, who is a tremendous bench scorer that is currently blocked off from more playing time due to the presence of Murray in the starting lineup. Bruce Brown was born to play in Nick Nurse’s defense.
The Nuggets are in a position where they need to start being extremely aggressive, as they will risk wasting Jokic’s prime if they don’t get some deals done. Toronto has as many goods to sell off as any team in the league, which should get Calvin Booth’s head turned east.
3. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans went from a feel-good story to one of the league’s biggest horror shows in very short order, as they have lost eight straight games following an injury to All-Star starter Zion Williamson. The Pelicans have great depth, but they haven’t been able to get this team back on track.
The Pelicans are in a unique position in that they have an abundance of role players who could thrive in bigger roles while also possessing more first-round picks than they know what to do with thanks to the Anthony Davis trade. David Griffin could funnel those picks over to Toronto in exchange for a proven star.
The Pelicans could add a star from the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors will certainly have their eyes on recent No. 8 overall pick Dyson Daniels, who is currently a backup behind McCollum. If the Pelicans want to keep him in town, Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy III make sense as two players that Toronto might be able to squeeze out of New Orleans.
The Pelicans, like the Raptors, are a small-market team that will have difficulties attracting free agents. When combined with Williamson’s salary, trading is still the best way for this team to improve and add to its core. Toronto has enough impact players to give New Orleans an edge.
2. New York Knicks
Blathering on about how this team is finally turning the corner is nothing new for Knicks fans, but they may have a bit more substance behind those boasts this season. Julius Randle is balling, Jalen Brunson has been worth every penny of his contract, and RJ Barrett is coming into his own.
The Knicks have been hoarding first-round picks in order to acquire a disgruntled star seeking to move to the biggest market in the league (which has happened exactly twice in the last 25 years, but still). Amid some links to names like Anunoby, the Knicks may try to engage their Atlantic rivals on some potential deals.
Will the New York Knicks make a deal with the Toronto Raptors?
The Raptors likely won’t consider engaging with New York unless they can bring back one of either Obi Toppin or Immanuel Quickley, with the latter a much more desirable prospect. Role players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Cam Reddish could be used to sweeten the deal.
The Knicks may make it to the postseason this year, but this roster has too many very clear holes right now to be taken seriously as a potential contender. Some Raptors fans might not like the idea of trading a top asset to a rival like New York, but an aggressive James Dolan could be the reason New York drops a king’s ransom on one of Toronto’s best.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Unlike the previous three teams mentioned, the Lakers don’t have the benefit of a ton of trade assets to part with. Russell Westbrook is the worst contract in the league, and the Lakers already flipped a good chunk of their second-round picks to the Wizards in exchange for Rui Hachimura.
That doesn’t mean Rob Pelinka is done trading just yet. While the Lakers might be somewhat screwed when it comes to building a winner in the post-LeBron James era, it would be a massive disservice to James’ heroic efforts this season if he didn’t try to gun for a playoff spot.
Will the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to trade with the Toronto Raptors?
With Gary Trent Jr. already a Klutch Sports client and Fred VanVleet expected to hire them after firing his old representation, the links between the two parties are starting to grow. Pelinka knows he’s getting the axe soon, so why not go down swinging by adding one of these Raptors?
The Raptors might get bigger hauls from elsewhere, but there is no telling what sorts of shenanigans Pelinka is willing to pull off if he can get a third team involved. LA can’t be discounted as a potential landing spot for Toronto’s best.