Raptors trade targets: 2 realistic, 1 pipe dream options to consider

Pipe Dream: Dereck Lively II

This is unlikely, but you have to at least make Dallas say no, right? Lively, picked one selection ahead of Gradey Dick, has already established himself as an above-average rebounder and shot-blocker that has helped the Mavericks take some steps forward on defense.

Lively coming to town would give the Raptors one of the best 1-2 punches at the center spot in the league alongside Jakob Poeltl. If things go really sour with Poeltl, Toronto already has a ready-made replacement that could slide in if Ujiri decides to make a trade next year.

The Toronto Raptors need to check on trading for Dereck Lively II.

If Lively is off the table, the best player Dallas could trade is veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Young guards like Josh Green and Jaden Hardy have some very obvious flaws that will limit their ceiling, and former first-round forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper is a complete unknown from an NBA point of view.

Outside of Lively, the Dallas asset that best helps the Raptors retool around Scottie Barnes might be a 32-year-old guard who wouldn't even start. Toronto needs to consider the pitfalls of trading with Dallas especially if the best possible player in the deal the Mavs could part with ends up avoiding such a move.