The Toronto Raptors are trying to dream big as they ride the wave of their first winning season in a half-decade. Could they trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Add an All-Star big? How do they swing for the fences and go from good to great?
The answer is that they need to add a true co-star alongside Scottie Barnes, and they need to get out from under the contract of Jakob Poeltl. Could they accomplish both goals with a single trade? It certainly won't be easier, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. It would take a dream trade scenario shaking loose amidst the chaos of this week's trade deadline.
Luckily for Toronto, this week is gearing up to be plenty chaotic as everyone waits until the last minute to pull the trigger on their trades under the looming specter of a Giannis Antetokounmpo decision. In the midst of the maelstrom, the Raptors can look to hit their home run.
The first step is identifying a player to target. If the Raptors are looking for a talented offensive engine while trading back at least one bad contract in Jakob Poeltl, they are probably shopping for a player who is having a down year of some sort, either due to play or availability. They also need to get a replacement center for Poeltl who can anchor the defense and be an upgrade on Poeltl offensively.
Interestingly enough, their ideal target may be standing stride-for-stride with them in the Eastern Conference standings. The Cleveland Cavaliers have disappointed this season and are reportedly open to breaking up their “Core 4” stars to make the overall team better. Enter the Raptors.
Because Cleveland is above the second luxury tax apron, they cannot aggregate player salaries together — in other words, they cannot trade multiple players, but each has to match salaries themselves. Jarrett Allen, for example, makes $20 million, so he has to be traded for one or more players whose salary adds up to less than $20 million.
There is a way such a deal would actually work perfectly, and it would upgrade the Raptors’ talent while also moving on from Poeltl’s future salary. Here is that trade in full:
The Detroit Pistons swoop in and spend a second-round pick to add Ochai Agbaji as a 3-and-D flier on an expiring contract; they have their full mid-level exception available to absorb his contract.
The Cavaliers need to change the balance of their lineup, as the pairing of two small guards in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell has not worked and seemingly caps their playoff upside. Moving Garland for Brandon Ingram swaps a point guard for a forward, giving the team more size and a lineup that is better balanced. They do take a hit downgrading from Allen to Poeltl, but they can move Poeltl to the bench and pocket a pair of first-round picks for their troubles.
Should the Raptors make this trade?
This would be a bold trade, without question. Toronto just traded for Brandon Ingram a year ago, and he has played well for them this season. Moving on from him so quickly would feel like whiplash. And giving up two first-round picks alongside Ingram would be a lot to pay.
The benefits, however, are massive. Darius Garland has on-ball shot creation juice the Toronto roster doesn’t have anywhere else. When he is healthy — understandably a concern given his injury issues the last two seasons — he is dynamic with the ball and as a playmaker.
Jarrett Allen is also a massive two-way upgrade over Jakob Poeltl. He just dropped 40 points this week and can punish smaller players around the rim. Defensively he is versatile in a variety of schemes, able to protect the rim and defend in space. He wouldn’t provide spacing next to Scottie Barnes, but swapping Ingram for Garland will only help their shooting profile.
Is this deal expensive? Sure, but the result is fantastic. It may not be Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it’s also not a disaster like trading for Ja Morant or Domantas Sabonis would be. A lineup of Darius Garland, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Jarrett Allen would be potent on both ends of the court; the Raps could start Quickley and lean into the offense, or start Jamal Shead and lean into defense.
The Raptors won’t find a better deal than this on the market, not with Poeltl’s contract a lead weight in any negotiation. This bold swing would move them closer to a championship, a move with some risk and all the upside in the world.