Why Toronto Raptors Should Pursue A Trade
The Toronto Raptors are at a crossroads. Long-time point guard Kyle Lowry left the organization this offseason, agreeing to a deal with the Miami Heat and getting sent there via sign-and-trade. Now, the front office has to decide what to do with the other young veterans on the team.
With Scottie Barnes being selected with the No. 4 overall pick, the Raptors may have shown their hand a little bit when it comes to their future plans. Barnes plays the same position as arguably the best player currently on their team, Pascal Siakam.
A trade package built around Siakam would net them a lot of assets in return. If Toronto does decide to shake things up with an eye toward the future, a trade for Kristaps Porzingis makes sense.
Dallas would already be asked to surrender a good amount of draft capital for Siakam normally, but they will also have to attach some more for the Raptors taking on Porzingis as well. It would be killing two birds with one stone for Masai Ujiri and the Raptors.
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They would be compiling assets with an eye toward the future, receiving draft picks from Dallas. But, Porzingis has already shown that he can be an All-Star level producing player, so they will remain competitive with him taking Siakam’s spot in the lineup.
Nick Nurse could deploy Porzingis as his starting center, allowing Barnes to start as well alongside Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and OG Anunoby. That would set the Raptors up to still remain competitive now, but still have assets to either make a deal for another star player or rebuild through the draft down the road.
