The Toronto Raptors did not trade one of Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, or Gary Trent Jr. at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline, much to the surprise of the fanbase and the charging of a very vocal section of that fanbase. Toronto appears to be doubling down on their core.
While the addition of Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs will help the Raptors get much better at protecting the basket, they still have some major roster issues that will make it very difficult for them to make much noise in the postseason. At the very top of that list is the lack of quality 3-point shooting.
The Raptors rank 28th in the league in 3-point shooting, and they are going to get a complete non-shooter in Poeltl dropped into the rotation. This could be a sign that Masai Ujiri is not completely done making additions to this Raptors roster.
After getting some money to play around with thanks to the Otto Porter Jr. injury, Toronto should use their open roster spot on a player that can make a difference, rather than just filling that void with 10-day contracts. These three buyout targets make too much sense for Toronto.
3 buyout candidates the Toronto Raptors must pursue.
3. Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic
Ross was discussed as a somewhat regular trade target for the Raptors, especially given their apparent fascination with reacquiring their old first-round picks. Toronto needs some snipers, and Ross can still knock down some open triples when requested.
Orlando was unwilling to move Gary Harris at the deadline, as they seem to value what he brings to the table as a leader and his performance. Ross, meanwhile, is in a slight decline and can be cut loose with a relatively paltry financial penalty. Is a reunion in the cards?
Will the Toronto Raptors get Terrence Ross?
Ross is averaging just 8.0 points per game this season, but he averaged double digits in points per game in his past four seasons with Orlando. The Magic are not in a position to contend for the playoffs this season, so holding onto Ross doesn’t seem like a move that makes tons of sense.
Ross in Toronto won’t have a ton of responsibility. Just come off the bench and shoot 3-pointers well. Considering the poor play of Malachi Flynn as the designated bench gunner, Ross would be an immediate upgrade in that area to such a degree that Flynn wouldn’t sniff the rotation ever again.
2. Danny Green, Houston Rockets
Green was offloaded by Memphis, thanks to a trade that saw the one-time OG Anunoby suitors opt for a different pure sniper in Luke Kennard. Green is coming off a major knee injury and is getting a little long in the tooth, but he still can be a valuable offensive player.
In the past three seasons, Green has played since leaving Toronto, one of which was spent with the Lakers and two of which took place in Philadelphia, he nailed 38.6% of his 3-point attempts on just over five attempts per game. While his defense is starting to deteriorate, Green can still stroke it, and he might not be too expensive.
Can Danny Green return to the Toronto Raptors?
Green seems to have nothing but fond memories about his time in Toronto, even famously choosing to wait years to receive his 2019 championship ring so that he could do it in front of the Scotiabank Arena crowd. If Toronto is bringing the band back together, why not take a look at Green?
Green is certainly not going to stick around in Houston, and you can never have enough shooting in the modern NBA. Green has already shown he can work well with Nick Nurse’s scheme, even if he isn’t going to be the same defensive piece that he was when he won the title.
1. Will Barton, Washington Wizards
This one is a bit unlikely, as the former Nuggets starter is leaving another play-in team and will likely try to secure a very lucrative contract with a more ready-made winner. Toronto will need to really impress Barton with their offer, but he is worth it without question.
Barton, like Ross, was unable it hit double digits per game this season. Like Ross, Barton had hit those averaged without breaking a sweat throughout his Denver tenure. Toronto could guarantee him a premium rotation spot, given how sorely they need someone with his talents.
The Toronto Raptors could use Will Barton.
Barton averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while making 36% of his 3-pointers during his tenure with the Nuggets. That sort of production rarely becomes available at this time of the year. Barton’s ability to core without dominating the ball should be very appealing.
Toronto can preach patience with this core all they want, but they aren’t going to suddenly become a dominant offensive team unless they get some extra spacing and shooting as soon as possible. Barton is a high-end option that Toronto can use to give this roster as a whole a kick in the rear.