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3 high-end Raptors trade targets who can fix the team’s shooting

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 18: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the net with Christian Koloko #35 and Juancho Hernangomez #41 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 18: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the net with Christian Koloko #35 and Juancho Hernangomez #41 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors need shooting. This phrase will be repeated and rephrased by anyone and everyone who is discussing the state of this team in the coming weeks and months, but that goes to show just how desperate things are getting around this roster right now.

The best way to improve this roster is via trade, as it could help the Raptors land an impact player without having to deal with most of the issues that plague Toronto’s free-agent chases. If the Raptors want to become a winner this season, they need to make a win-now acquisition.

The Raptors could move a player like OG Anunoby, but that doesn’t mean they have to tear everything down, necessarily. Making a lateral move that helps them get a backcourt player, particularly one who could help the 3-point shooting, could be the point of difference this team needs.

3 Toronto Raptors trade targets who can shoot.

3. Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors

Poole shot just under 34% last season from deep, but he was a few ticks higher in both of his last two seasons. After averaging over 20 points per game last season, Poole’s emergence as a terrific off-ball guard who can help shoulder an offensive burden is officially complete.

While he had some terrible moments in the postseason, the Raptors can use this as an opportunity to grab Poole when his value is cratering. He’s not a perfect player, but his creative skills and perimeter scoring are slightly above what Gary Trent Jr, who could test the open market, could provide.

Jordan Poole could start over with the Toronto Raptors.

Poole is a deadly sniper when he gets hot, and Golden State might need to shed salary now that the new luxury tax is extremely punitive for teams like the Warriors that have spent a ton of money. As such, Poole could be on his way to a new team if they want one last go at a title with the current core.

Doing so would help the Raptors find a landing spot for OG Anunoby, maximize the value that could come in a potential return by sending him to a Warriors team that is still trying to compete, and bring a tremendous player in need of a change of scenery to Canada.