If the Toronto Raptors' back-to-back games against the two Los Angeles teams gave me one fear, it’s that, as currently constructed, this group isn’t a contender.
Yeah, that might be an overreaction less than 10 games into the season, but it might not be. Any time I fear this group isn’t built to compete with the Eastern Conference top dogs, my immediate coping mechanism is opening up Spotrac’s trade machine. Sometimes I can’t land on any trade proposals that make enough sense to write about, but I did land on one with the Dallas Mavericks that I thought was worth sharing. And no, it doesn’t involve Kyrie Irving.
Given the Raptors' need for center help, with Jakob Poeltl having an awful start to the season, why not go target Daniel Gafford if you’re Bobby Webster? Gafford has been in trade rumors since the Luka Doncic trade, and those rumors haven't stopped despite the Mavericks' front-office turnover this offseason. Gafford fits the mold of the center you want on this team as a shot-blocking veteran who can run the pick-and-roll at a high level on offense.
In the proposal I drew up, Toronto would also get Max Christie with Gafford in exchange for RJ Barrett.
Daniel Gafford and Max Christie could balance the Raptors roster
What makes Gafford such a great fit for this team is how effective he is on so few touches. The Mavs' starting center has the lowest usage rate among players who have been in Dusty May’s every-game rotation, but he’s still giving them 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 75 percent from the field. His production and efficiency with such a low demand for the ball would open up even more touches for Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard while addressing the team's need for a center.
His ability as a screener could also create a ton of clean looks from three for the Raptors, both on and off the ball. There is a sizable financial commitment with Gafford at three years and $54.4 million. But it's not like there are major health concerns, especially when you consider he would probably be part of a three-big-man rotation of Jakob Poeltl, Collin Murray-Boyles, and himself.
I also think Max Christie could be a very valuable add for this Raptors group. He’s struggled with efficiency to open the year, shooting 27 percent from three this season, and he also left a Dallas game against Sacramento with a hip injury. However, at 23, he has a career 38.2 percent three-point percentage and has always been a steady defender and off-ball scorer.
From the Mavericks' perspective, the reasoning for doing this is pretty clear. Dereck Lively II is set to enter restricted free agency this summer, and between him, Morez Johnson Jr. and Santi Aldama, Dallas has three solid frontcourt options. Adding Barrett gives them a steady third scoring option and creator next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving that can help them continue to compete in the Western Conference this season. This deal also helps them maintain future cap flexibility, with Barrett on an expiring deal.
Also, Masai Ujiri clearly likes Barrett a lot because he parted with OG Anunoby for him and Quickley without a single first-round pick coming back in return. Yes, I’m still salty about that.
I’m not saying it’s a perfect trade proposal or looking for another reason to write about the Raptors trading RJ Barrett. But to me, this is a fun concept that seems like it could be in the cards. I’m not sure what draft capital would be needed to satisfy either side, but from a player-for-player standpoint, Gafford and Christie for Barrett makes sense, and it's something I'd look into if I were Bobby Webster.
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