The Toronto Raptors have been at the center of many trade deadline musings, as names like Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam have all been mentioned as potential candidates for a move elsewhere. Toronto has a ton of leverage, as many of these high-end talents are under contract for at least one more season.
Given the expectation that Scottie Barnes will eventually become the ball-centric star the team is developing him into, trading VanVleet, who could opt out of the final year of his contract, seems like one of the more reasonable and prudent paths Masai Ujiri could choose to take.
The Raptors had some discussions about butting into the Kyrie Irving deal with the aim of acquiring Spencer Dinwiddie, but they were unable to get a deal hammered out. That doesn’t mean that the league-wide VanVleet pursuit is entirely dead, however. For the right place, he can be moved.
It seems like nearly half the league is trying their hardest to acquire one of Toronto’s big names, with VanVleet being one of the most attractive names in the rumor mill. One of these three deals being consummated could easily set Toronto up for success in the long-term.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: 3 Fred VanVleet deals.
Trade No. 1: Fred VanVleet goes to Brooklyn
This trade may not bring Dinwiddie over to Toronto, but it still helps Toronto plug two of its greatest holes. Harris might be a poor defender, but it’s not hyperbole to say that he is clearly one of the top five (potentially even top three) 3-point shooters in the game today.
Harris could help guard against losing VanVleet and, potentially, Trent in the span of a few months. Sharpe, who was a high school teammate of Scottie Barnes, has the muscle and rebounding needed to form a deadly pair alongside rookie big Christian Koloko. Getting some picks will always be nice.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Fred VanVleet could go to the Nets.
Brooklyn appears committed to building around Kevin Durant and winning a title, but the pressure is on to get him another co-star to take some of the pressure off of him. VanVleet may not be in the Kyrie tier, he will instantly become the second-best player on the Nets.
The Nets’ desperate nature could be what ultimately turns them into a willing buyer. VanVleet wearing a Nets jersey might be the basketball equivalent of ipecac for some Raptors fans, but they could give Toronto an offer that they simply won’t be able to refuse.
Trade No. 2: Orlando lands Fred VanVleet
Remember all of those debates about Barnes and Suggs before the draft? The shock when Barnes was taken over Suggs? Imagine what a full-circle moment it would be if both of them end up playing alongside one another. With Suggs fizzling in Orlando amid extreme competition for shots, that’s not a crazy idea.
Not only can Suggs get a fresh start on a team that will make use of his defensive skills, but Bamba can do the same on a Toronto squad that is crying out for someone with Bamba’s exact skillset. With two potential Top 10 picks in this draft, the Raptors can get one more chance at Victor Wembanyama.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Will the Magic get Fred VanVleet?
The Magic have registered some interest in VanVleet in the past, and some of the latest buzz suggests that they could make a run at him if (read:when) he denies his player option and becomes a free agent. A young team like Orlando could splurge on VanVleet.
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero give the Magic a rock-solid foundation that will make them a force in the East when everyone hits their stride. VanVleet is a nice veteran to jumpstart their climb back to relevancy, though they may need to play a somewhat inflated price to get him.
Trade No. 3: The Clippers make a move for Fred VanVleet
The Clippers are desperately trying to acquire a veteran point guard that can help them pull away from the rest of the Western Conference. Given their self-professed love for Raptors players who were a part of that 2019 championship team, it makes sense as to why LA is trying to angle for a player like VanVleet.
The Clippers may have a tough time offering up tons of future picks, as they traded away control of their draft for most of the next decade to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George. However, parting with some of their young talent might be enough to get Ujiri interested.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: The Clippers are eyeing Fred VanVleet.
The Clippers, per Eric Koreen of The Athletic, are in the best position to acquire VanVleet. The plethora of young guards that LA could flip to Toronto, coupled with their insatiable need to break through to the Finals finally, might create the perfect trade storm for the Raptors.
The Clippers could go from pretender to contender in one lightning-quick move if they are able to add VanVleet. More than just salary dumps needed to acquire picks, Kennard and Mann can both have a role in turning the Raptors into a winner once again.