The Toronto Raptors are clearly waiting until the merciful release of the NBA trade deadline can take one of the more tightly-wound locker rooms in the league and finally give them some much-needed levity. Their pathetic showing against the New Orleans Pelicans showed exactly how far things have fallen.
The Raptors went down by double digits almost immediately, and nearly set a new franchise record for the biggest loss in franchise history before a late rally saved them from such an embarrassment. Toronto has now lost 12 of their last 14 games and has fallen far down the standings.
The Raptors not only (in essence) declared that wins and losses are not as important as developing some of their long-term assets, but they have ripped up the roster to such a degree that they currently lack the manpower needed to become a consistent winner.
Masai Ujiri needs to reorient the Raptors to get them in a spot where the rest of the season will be a positive experience and not a series of 48-minute car crashes on the court. These four moves, be they roster or rotation related, would give Toronto a better foundation on which the young guns can let it fly.
4 moves Masai Ujiri must make before the Toronto Raptors trade deadline
4. Trade Bruce Brown
This one seems like a matter of when, not if, at this point. After some strong early showings and some leaks that made it seem like Toronto was more than fine with holding on to him, the latest rumors making it seem like Brown's bidding war is finally starting in earnest could lead to a deal getting consummated.
The Knicks have been a consistent source of Brown rumors, even as his asking price scares away others like the Los Angeles Lakers. This may be the only chance Toronto has of nabbing a player like Quentin Grimes, as the odds of Brown playing out the entirety of his contract seem to be shrinking.
The Toronto Raptors need to move off Bruce Brown.
Brown's play has fallen off a bit lately, as his physical limitations and lackluster 3-point shooting make it very difficult for a Raptors team that wants him to play more of a frontcourt role to get excited about what he can bring. He is also blocking deserving younger players from getting more shine.
While it might stink to see Ujiri allocate the money that could have been used to retain Brown on players that will try to equal his very unique skillset, but this is the best way forward. Perhaps this could clear a path to a potential Gary Trent Jr. contract after his recent hot shooting.
3. Put Jordan Nwora in the rotation
While he may have been viewed as salary-matching in the Pascal Siakam trade, it took the Buffalo native Nwora just a few games before he established himself as a quality scorer at this level. Darko Rajakovic's inability to give him more minutes has been a major thorn in the collective side of this fanbase.
Nwora has averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while making 47% of both his overall shots and 3-pointers. After a sluggish start for the Pacers this season, Nwora is looking more like the player who was a double-digit scorer with ease last year with Indiana.
The Toronto Raptors must play Jordan Nwora more.
Nwora is a free agent after this season, and the Raptors owe it to both the player and the organization to give him a very long runway. Nwora gets to put his full skillset on display, and the Raptors get to see if the 25-year-old can return and be a regular rotation presence next season.
While he will never be a tremendous defender of Scottie Barnes-like passer, Nwora is a confident shooter who can create shots for himself. Even in his brief cameos on the floor, it is very obvious that Toronto's offense has a bit more pep in their collective step when the former Louisville star is on the floor.
2. Cut Jalen McDaniels
McDaniels signed a two-year deal with the Raptors in the offseason, as he wanted to prove he was more like the ascending young player in Charlotte and not the fringe rotation piece from Philadelphia. McDaniels' play this season has been so putrid that it almost defies belief for a young player with his stats.
McDaniels' scoring has fallen to 3.1 points per game. He only comes in during garbage time, and even then he's painful. McDaniels, who is shooting 34% from the field and 21% from 3-point range, missed multiple open layups and turned it over four times in garbage time against New Orleans. Even when down 35, he can't do anything right.
The Toronto Raptors need to get rid of Jalen McDaniels.
It's easy to forget that McDaniels was a double-digit scorer just a year ago. Toronto signed him with the intent of making him one of the first players off the bench, and it took Rajakovic about four games to remove him entirely from the rotation. It hasn't worked, and McDaniels doesn't even look worthy of an NBA roster spot.
Keeping him helps no one. McDaniels won't get a chance to salvage what remains of his basketball career withering away in Toronto, and the Raptors would be burning a roster spot on a negative asset. Ujiri needs to take the L, take a cap hit, and get him out of Canada as soon as possible.
1. Start Gradey Dick
The lone bright spot from Toronto's beatdown in New Orleans was Dick, who scored a career-best 22 points on 16 shots and made some impressive 3-point shots. Toronto claims the lottery pick is a big part of their future, though they seem generally unwilling to let him truly cut it loose.
While Dick has put together some individually impressive games, he hasn't shown enough to be considered a lock for the team's rotation. This stretch could be where he separates himself, as his all-around scoring game might be enough to make him an immutable part of the team next season.
Gradey Dick needs a big role for the Toronto Raptors.
If Dick is going to be out on the floor, Toronto also needs to make sure he is constantly shooting. While making minor improvements in other areas is important, Dick's success with this team will ultimately be determined by how well he shoots from the field, especially from 3-point range.
While Dick hasn't always been lights out since his G League exile, he's looked like a respectable NBA player most of the time. Harnessing his positive moments will not only help him find a role in the Raptors' long-term outlook, but it will prevent him from becoming a Malachi Flynn in Tampa-esque flash in the pan.