Raptors trade tiers: Which players could Masai Ujiri try to move?

The Toronto Raptors have all of their 18 roster spots totally filled up right now following the signing of Jeff Dowtin to an NBA deal and Javon Freeman-Liberty to a two-way contract. The Raptors might finally be done making moves after what became quite a wild offseason.

However, the idea of a potential trade continues to lurk in the background. Masai Ujiri not only has a history of shaking up the roster in unusual ways, but he will not wait until the quiet parts of the offseason to pull the trigger on a potential blockbuster finally.

The Raptors have veterans that can provide an instant boost off the bench, players in their prime that can kick-start a rebuild if moved, and younger players yet to reach the best basketball of their career. Will Toronto actually consider one more big shake-up before the season?

Not all Raptors trade assets are created equal, as some players would be much more valuable than others. Which players should be considered trade bait, and which ones are relatively safe from the oncoming onslaught of rumors?

Toronto Raptors trade tiers: Who could be moved?

Tier 4: Inconsequential

• Ron Harper Jr
• Javon Freeman-Liberty
• Markquis Nowell
• Jeff Dowtin
• Otto Porter Jr.

None of these players will get much of anything back in a trade, as they are fighting for their roster spots and every shred of playing time they can get. That doesn’t mean that this quintet of players is without potential in the short term, however.

Harper has shown to be an intriguing offensive player in the G League, Freeman-Liberty was one of the best players on any team in Summer League competition, and Nowell immediately worked his way into the hearts of this fanbase via his tremendous passing skills.

The Toronto Raptors might not trade Otto Porter Jr.

If any of these guys have a shot at contributing to the Raptors this season, Dowtin might be the likeliest candidate. He has some ways to go before he can be a rotation player, but he has some traits worth developing, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Porter went from a free agent coup to a negative trade asset that has been thrown out of the rotation following an injury-marred debut campaign. Who would want to trade for a player on the wrong side of 30 that will miss most of the season if he sneezes too hard?