Remember what the Toronto Raptors looked like approaching the trade deadline a season ago? 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
Lonzo Ball
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 + 1st round pick to SAC for Richaun Holmes.
Khem Birch
