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?
Tier 3: Look to move them right now
- Chris Boucher
- Thad Young
- Malachi Flynn
The Raptors need to finally pull the plug on the Flynn experiment, as they saw him get outplayed by Dowtin in what was supposed to be a pivotal season. Perhaps some team out there would be willing to flip a draft pick to Toronto in order to give him a fresh start.
While Young, like Porter, fell out of the rotation last season Young does not have the same durability issues. Toronto might be able to get something of value for him, as he does not offer them much productivity as a seldom-used bench player that rarely takes his warm-up off.
Will the Toronto Raptors trade Chris Boucher?
Boucher could be the most likely candidate for a trade, as he is the perfect combination of disposable enough to cut out of the long-term picture while also remaining valuable enough to get the Raptors a piece that can help them make some noise this season.
Boucher has been a good soldier for the Raptors, as he has consistently played above his pay grade and emerged as a jewel of the team’s developmental system. However, parting with him can help the Raptors improve elsewhere while giving young players room to grow.
2. Only move them for the right offer
- Pascal Siakam
- OG Anunoby
- Precious Achiuwa
- Dennis Schroder
- Jalen McDaniels
The Raptors might not be seeking out offers for Anunoby and Siakam, but they should keep their eyes peeled. If they aren’t going to extend them and confirm either of that duo as one of their long-term pieces, Ujiri should keep their names in the rumor mill to see if a teams wants to overpay.
Siakam would obviously get more in a trade, but the Raptors would dip fully into rebuild mode if they send him away. Even though he only has one year left on his deal, Siakam needs to be retained until the Raptors get a collection of assets befitting of an All-NBA player.
Will the Toronto Raptors try to trade Pascal Siakam?
Anunoby could give a contender the edge they need to set themselves apart, as he is coming off an All-Defensive season that was long overdue. Achiuwa is likely a long-term building block, but he could be aggregating in a more extensive trade to increase Toronto’s potential return.
Free agent signings Schroder and McDaniels can’t be traded until the middle of the season, and the odds of moving either one of them is very unlikely unless the bottom completely falls out and the Raptors find themselves trying to get the No. 1 pick. Still, you never know what a desperate contender might offer for them.
1. No shot
- Gradey Dick
- Christian Koloko
- Gary Trent Jr.
- Jakob Poeltl
- Scottie Barnes
Koloko is worth developing, but he likely won’t recoup a ton if he is dangled. Poeltl signed a huge contract in free agency, showing that Ujiri wants to build a defensive team structure around Poeltl’s rebounding, shot-blocking, and mobility in the paint.
It remains to be seen what Dick’s role will be in his rookie season, but the Raptors will likely give him every opportunity to show that he belongs. His finish to Summer League gave fans a very brief glimpse into what he is going to provide during his first few seasons.
The Toronto Raptors will not trade Scottie Barnes.
Trent chose to top into his contract, and the Raptors are reportedly working towards some sort of extension with the Raptors. A terrific scorer getting more efficient every year, Trent is the exact type of player this team needs. Perhaps Dick can evolve into a 6-8 version of him.
No matter what happens in the next few years, the Raptors are totally committed to Barnes. While he is far from an ideal franchise cornerstone due to the clear flaws of his style of play, the Raptors are wisely choosing to roll the dice on a player that profiles as a future star.