The Raptors have been very careful with their draft assets. They didn’t get any meaningful additions at this year’s trade deadline, only bringing in Trayce Jackson Davis, who barely played. They are obviously waiting for the right moment to push in all of their chips.
That moment could be this summer, if the front office has seen enough from players like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles to determine that one big splash will put this team in a position to contend for an NBA Championship.
If that is the case, the Raptors have to be careful that they don’t use all of their most valuable trade assets to get a player who ends up only making the Raptors incrementally better instead of pushing them into contention. Whoever they go all-in for can’t just be a difference-maker. It has to be someone who can significantly raise the team’s floor and ceiling.
The Raptors have valuable trade assets
The Raptors’ most valuable trade assets are their draft picks. They own all of their own first-round picks from 2026 to 2032, as well as second-round picks for the next five years. Giving up most of those picks for the wrong player would be devastating.
They also have some players they can move on from in trades. Gradey Dick, for example, looks like a prime candidate to find himself with a new team this offseason. He fell out of the Raptors’ rotation and Raptors reporter Michael Grange recently reported that the 2023 first-round pick would be open to a trade.
Other than that, RJ Barrett’s expiring contract could be a valuable trade asset. The Raptors may also want to move on from Jakob Poeltl and Brandon Ingram, but their contracts won’t be as easy to move.
The Raptors may not be ready to go all-in yet
Bobby Webster said in his end-of-season media availability that the Raptors would be looking at the best two-way players available in the offseason and approach the trade market with an opportunistic mindset. So, if a great deal for a star presents itself, fans should expect the Raptors to at least be in the mix and explore all options.
However, it doesn’t seem like Webster will force a big trade in the hopes of pushing the Raptors to the next level immediately. Given how young key players like Barnes and Murray-Boyles still are, the Raptors can afford some patience this offseason. Giving the young group of Barnes, Murray-Boyles, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Jamal Shead, and Ja’Kobe Walter another chance to build on this season’s success without the pressure that comes with a big win-now move wouldn’t be the worst thing if there’s a decent level of internal improvement.
Add us as a preferred source on Google