1. Toronto Raptors
The trade package that the Philadelphia 76ers sent the Toronto Raptors centered around Ben Simmons was a lot. The Raptors declined, but that doesn’t mean they should stop pursuing a trade for Simmons.
With Kyle Lowry joining the Miami Heat via sign-and-trade, the Raptors do have a need at the point guard position. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. are a good starting backcourt, but the addition of Simmons would help take Toronto to the next level.
Adding that kind of defensive presence in the backcourt would replace the tenacity that Lowry brought to that end of the court. The 112.5 defensive rating that Toronto had last season was among the worst in franchise history. Getting back on track defensively would help the team return to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
While Simmons’ offense has been the topic of discussion, he could help elevate the Raptors on that end of the court. While his playmaking would help them, his shooting percentages would as well.
The Raptors were 26th in the NBA in shooting percentage last season, making 44.8 percent of their shot attempts. They were just not a threat inside the 3-point arc, which is where Simmons can do some damage.
Working out a package for Simmons will be a little more difficult now with the NBA Draft behind us, but the Raptors would be smart to try and pry him away, giving them a new long-term option at point guard with Lowry leaving town.
