5 Players the Raptors Should Target Before the NBA Trade Deadline

travkinb

4 years ago

5 Players the Raptors Should Target Before the NBA Trade Deadline

Full of swagger, a chip on their shoulder for being written off without Kawhi Leonard, battling for one of the top seeds in the East, two All-Stars, Nick Nurse coaching Team Giannis.

It was nothing but good vibes, but it’s become crystal clear that this year’s team isn’t that.

The Raptors are under .500 at 17-19, are flirting with the idea of the play-in tournament ,and had no representation at All-Star weekend for the first time since 2013. Still, there’s a case to be made that they’re better than their record and therefore should be buyers. They went 15-9 after a 2-8 start, but COVID-19 protocols left them woefully shorthanded against the Pistons and Celtics and so they lost their final two games before the break.

An argument also exists to try and maximize what could be Kyle Lowry’s final season with the Raptors. He is the greatest Raptor of all time, a trade that truly creates a better long-term future may not exist, and he’s playing at an All-Star level averaging 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. (He also remains determined to retire as a Raptor, no matter what.) As the Raptors’ season has progressed, Nurse has leaned towards small ball more and more, putting his core players in Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Norman Powell at the forefront.

When it comes to any trade, it’s about figuring out what pieces work best around that core. Here are five players who may be available and can address some of the Raptors’ weaknesses:

Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo #7 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass the ball while guarded by Terry Rozier #3

2020-21 season stats: 20.0 PTS, 5.2 REB, 4.5 AST, 1.7 STL, 33.1% 3PT%

Why?
If the Raptors pursue Oladipo before the trade deadline, it will be because they believe vice president of player health and performance Alex McKechnie can work his magic like he did with Kawhi and also believe he presents a higher ceiling than Powell in the near-term. Oladipo is a better two-way player and has better playmaking chops.

Why not?
Concern over the injury history is real. He suffered a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee to miss almost the entire second half of the 2018-19 season and then played just 13 games in 2019-20 due to recovery. His jump shooting has suffered a precipitous drop and Powell seems to be on the rise.

How?
TOR sends Norman Powell, Patrick McCaw, and Stanley Johnson to HOU for Victor Oladipo and Ben McLemore.

Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball for the New Orleans Pelicans

2020-21 season stats: 14.5 PTS, 4.2 REB, 5.1 AST, 1.3 STL, 38.7% 3PT%

Why?
Though Ball has made significant improvements since his time with the Lakers, the Pelicans are extremely deep at the guard position and seem to prefer moving on. His jump shot is altered and the result speaks for itself; he’s a solid playmaker even if he has nothing on LaMelo and, at 6-foot-6, would be a great long-term defensive fit alongside VanVleet in the backcourt.

Why not?
Ball isn’t a threat to get to the free-throw line and mediocre at finishing around the rim. If the Raptors are going to make a move for a guard to slot next to VanVleet and Siakam long-term, those are two legitimate concerns.

How?
TOR sends Chris Boucher, Patrick McCaw, and a second-round pick for Lonzo Ball and Willy Hernangomez.

Larry Nance Jr.

Larry Nance Jr

2020-21 season stats: 9.3 PTS, 6.8 REB, 3.2 AST, 1.9 STL, 38.1% 3PT%

Why?
Nance Jr. has quietly had an impressive season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Operating as a big who can facilitate a bit and provide some floor spacing, he is also the league leader in steals and would fit right in alongside the pesky likes of VanVleet, Anunoby, and Siakam.

Why not?
Nance Jr. has played well enough to be ahead of Kevin Love and Andre Drummond in terms of priority to keep for Cleveland. They already believe Jarrett Allen is their centre of the future and if they can find deals for the other two bigs, there’s no incentive for them to move on from Nance Jr. unless there’s a draft pick involved.

How?
TOR sends Baynes and two second-round picks to CLE for Larry Nance Jr.

Richaun Holmes

2020-21 season stats: 13.0 PTS, 8.3 REB, 1.7 AST, 1.5 BLK, 65.1 FG%

Why?
It’s hard to find a reason why the Raptors shouldn’t want Holmes. Not only are his numbers impressive, the impact he has at both ends extends beyond them. Toronto has struggled at the centre position and he would serve as a massive upgrade with solid rebounding and positional defence on one end to go along with excellent finishing in and around the basket including one of the best big man floater/push shot in the league.

Sacramento also has a glut of bigs between him, Hassan Whiteside, Marvin Bagley III, and Nemanja Bjelica.

Why not?
The Kings may actually know what they have with Holmes and are committed to re-signing him as an unrestricted free agent this summer. At 14-22, there is plenty to fix but Holmes and De’Aaron Fox shouldn’t be on the list. They are the Kings, though.

How?
TOR sends Stanley Johnson + 1^st round pick to SAC for Richaun Holmes.

Khem Birch

khem-birch-orlando

2020-21 season stats: 5.9 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.1 AST, 0.7 BLK, 49.7% FG%

Why?
The regular season numbers aren’t overwhelming by any means but a large part of that has to do with playing behind Nikola Vucevic, who has been an absolute monster this season. On a per 36 minute basis, the Montreal native is averaging 10.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals. That hits a little different, right?

I’ll be the first to say that shouldn’t be the expectation if he were to get significant minutes but Birch has proven to be an effective contributor and would provide the Raptors with some much needed size and mobile strength at the centre position. When Vucevic struggled in the playoffs against the Raptors, it was Birch who picked up some of the slack and remained solid.

Why not?
It’s hard to see why Magic wouldn’t be open to a deal. Trading Birch would potentially open up more playing time for Mo Bamba—who they need to learn more about—and the salary-matching options from the Raptors’ end whether it be Patrick McCaw or Stanley Johnson should be deemed adequate.

How?
TOR sends Stanley Johnson to ORL for Khem Birch. (Heaven forbid Nurse lose his beloved McCaw.)

SOURCE:

complex https://www.complex.com/sports/5-players-raptors-should-target-before-nba-trade-deadline/

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