Grade the Trade: Raptors turn coveted draft pick into a future starter in new pitch

Why the Raptors should make this trade

The Toronto Raptors have a pair of on-ball shot creators and playmakers in Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, so what they need to fill out the roster around them are smart off-ball players who can shoot, defend and make winning basketball plays.

Moody has developed that part of his game to the fullest over the last five years, first playing alongside stars in high school at Montverde Academy and then spending three years as a role player on the Golden State Warriors. He has developed as a cutter, an offball mover and seems to know just where to be on offense. Defensively, he is 6'6" tall with a 7'0" wingspan and has all the tools to continue sharpening into a reliable perimeter defender, while he has quick hands and good instincts for generating steals.

You can never have too many wings, and adding Moody as well as Ja'Kobe Walter to a group that include RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick would be investing in a valuable commodity and give Toronto a lot of lineup flexibility.

The question the Raptors need to answer is one of opportunity cost. Is there a better option available to them than trading for Moses Moody? It's possible another team comes in with a stronger offer -- perhaps a future first-round pick for No. 31, or a basket full of seconds with upside. It's possible a player is offered who fits better and has a higher upside than Moody, but it's unlikely; there is still a lot of untapped potential with Moody and he's an ideal archetype for the modern NBA and for the Raptors' roster.

The other path to consider is using the pick themselves. Kyle Filipowski remains on the board and is a lottery-level of player as a skilled big who could excel next to Scottie Barnes. Tyler Kolek would fill the backup point guard position admirably. Johnny Furphy would be an investment in a larger wing who is younger and cheaper than Moody.

The Raptors are about to get expensive, with a new deal for Quickley this summer and Barnes' extension kicking in next summer. Would they benefit more from the cost-controlled contract of a second-round pick over paying Moody next summer?

It's a fair question, and for the right player it may be worth standing pat. Moses Moody is a player worth ivnesting in, however, and he could easily be the long-term starter for this group they have been looking for. This deal would be an excellent buy-low opportunity and a good use of the No. 31 pick.

Grade: A