4 Trade targets the Raptors can go after thanks to a new rule

No. 1: Wendell Carter Jr., $11.95 million

The other names on this list would be available at a bargain, all players on teams that didn't draft them or seek them out. Wendell Carter Jr. is a player who the Raptors would need to actually pay to go out and get, but the cost could be worth it given his ideal fit alongside Scottie Barnes.

The Orlando Magic have a lot of size on their roster and multiple reliable center options in Jonathan Isaac, Mo Wagner and Goga Bitadze, making Wendell Carter somewhat expendable in their long-term plan. Rumors that the Magic were considering a trade for Carter swirled at both the trade deadline and the NBA Draft, so it's not unthinkable they could move him now for value. Moving him to a team without taking any salary back would also be attractive to Orlando as they are keeping the books clear ahead of paydays for their young core.

The Raptors would be free to move on from Jakob Poeltl after adding Wendell Carter Jr., a solid defender with versatility to defend on the interior and in space. On offense he is a solid perimeter shooter and comfortable getting up a good volume of shots, forcing defenses to defend him out there. He looks like the perfect player to slot next to Scottie Barnes, hitting the ideals of strong defense and floor-spacing ability on offense.

Carter is also only 25 years old and on an absolute bargain of a contract, making less than $12 million this year and just $10.85 million next year. The Raptors could get some time to evaluate his fit with Barnes and his long-term upside and likely commit to him moving forward, getting a player who is both younger and a better two-way fit with the core than Poeltl. It's a deal well worth considering for the Raptors.