Who should the Toronto Raptors trade and what kind of value should they be looking for in return?

Who should the Toronto Raptors trade and what kind of value should they be looking for in return? This is not a fake trade piece. You will not see names of players the Raptors should target in this article.

We Have a Deal

As long as the Raptors aren’t taking back salary, Bruno Caboclo can be had for nothing. His qualifying offer this summer will be $3.5M. Considering the Raptors will be up against the luxury tax he should not be re-signed especially when you factor in he isn’t even active for games. If Caboclo isn’t even good enough to play garbage time in year four he’s probably not the best bet to invest more money into. Trading Bruno for cash considerations or rights to a player that will never play in the NBA is a no-brainer because it saves the Raptors money.

Something of Value Please

It’s unclear what Alfonzo McKinnie’s trade value would be. He looked good in the summer, but has barely played this season. This is less a mark against McKinnie and more credit to the Raptors for having a super deep team this season. If the Raptors can get a second-round pick for McKinnie maybe they take it because it’s an asset they can use down the road.

The Raptors are in an interesting situation with Lucas Nogueira and Fred VanVleet. Both have shown to be good bench players. However, they will be restricted free agents this summer. It’s hard to envision the Raptors going into the luxury tax for either, but at the same time, it’s hard to let both walk for nothing. Taking a second-round pick for one of these guys probably isn’t enough of an incentive for the Raptors. Ideally, if the Raptors could package VanVleet and/or Nogueira with other players for a star they should explore that. If the Raptors could get a late first round pick for Fred or Lucas I think they would do it. If that isn’t on the table maybe they settle for a pair of second-round picks for either. It may feel like selling low, but are these players going to get major minutes when the rotation tightens come playoff time?

The Wrinkles with Chasing a Star

1) Asking prices are generally high

2) The ones available are often on expiring contracts

3) The player might have declined to the point he is no longer a star anymore

I’m Listening, But Don’t Insult Me

It’s not exactly a secret the Raptors have been interested in trading Jonas Valanciunas. It’s also not much of a secret the market for centers is low. The majority of teams have their center or are content playing small ball. Valanciunas is playing a career low in minutes even though he’s extended his range and become one of the best bigmen from the free throw line. The Raptors want to shed his contract so in the future they will be able to stay under the luxury tax. However, they haven’t been willing to give him up for nothing nor should they because he’s solid NBA player that is still only 25 years old. Jonas isn’t a good rim protector, but he’s a good bucket getter and rebounder. If the Raptors were to flip Valanciunas they may chase a three-point specialist, or they might use his contract in conjunction with other players to go all-in on a star.

Photo taken by Keith Allison

Blocking Your Number Unless

The Raptors are thin at power forward. If the Raptors were to trade Serge Ibaka or Pascal Siakam they would likely need a power forward back. Ibaka is making a lot of money and has had health concerns that require maintenance games off. Year three of his deal might be tough to stomach if his health issues get worse. Teams realize this so it’s hard to imagine the Raptors would get a good return for Serge. He’s played well for the Raptors so it’s hard to envision the Raptors selling low on him. Pascal Siakam is a bit of a different story. Probably no one expected him to play this well without developing a jump shot. Siakam showed he could hit threes in Summer League and the D-League. Unfortunately, it hasn’t translated to NBA games, but fortunately, his contagious energy has led him to be effective getting to the rim offensively and be mobile defensively. Maybe Pascal could be used as part of a bigger package to land a star power forward, but anything else seems unlikely.

Wrong Valuation

How do you value a throwback guard like Delon Wright? There is this emphasis on three-point shooting. That’s not Delon’s thing. What his thing is defense and the ability to get to the basket. If the Raptors could package him for a high-level player it is certainly worth exploring. Otherwise, this is a guy you hang onto.

We Are Miles Apart

CJ Miles probably has more value to the Raptors than possibly any other team in the league. The Raptors needed a three-point shooter this summer and they got one in Miles. Furthermore, the Raptors have made a commitment to shoot more threes this season. How do you execute that if you trade CJ Miles?

Not Accepting a Shell of an Offer

The Raptors have a surplus of players that can play center. Jakob “The Turtle” Poeltl is playing like the center the Raptors have always wanted. He’s a good mobile defender that also tracks down offensive rebounds. Poeltl is also on his team-friendly rookie-scale contract. If the Raptors could get an equal or better talent at a different position maybe they would consider it because they would still have viable options at center in Valanciunas, Ibaka, and Nogueira.

Your Offer Better Be a Knockout

Norman Powell has struggled with his shot, but that doesn’t impact everything he does defensively. The Raptors extended Powell this year which makes him difficult to trade as per the poison pill provision. Additionally, Norman is probably one of the Raptors best young pieces outside of OG Anunoby. If the Raptors are giving some of their future in Norman Powell they better be getting something great back.

Your Offer Ain’t Thicc Enough

The Raptors gave Kyle Lowry a three-year lucrative contract this summer when there were very few teams willing to do the same. Health has been an issue with Lowry the last few years. Despite the slow start this season, Kyle has played really well since. Moreover, Dwane Casey has done a good job monitoring Lowry’s minutes. Kyle is playing roughly 5 fewer minutes per game this season which in theory should keep him fresher come playoff time. Kyle Lowry is the leader in the locker room and one of the biggest reasons why this Raptors team has been so successful. There is no realistic trade offer for him the Raptors should contemplate at this time.

FOH

As long as Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are playing well for the Toronto Raptors there shouldn’t even be a thought of trading DeMar DeRozan. If things start to get rocky in year three of this three-year window you have permission to let this thought enter your brain. That doesn’t include the permission of trading him. Just the thought of it, but until then please reference this tweet from DeRozan.

FOH. 46 — DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) September 16, 2016

NO

Are the New Orleans Pelicans trading Anthony Davis to the Raptors? No. Is LeBron James waiving his no-trade clause to be traded to the Raptors? No. Should the Raptors trade OG Anunoby? No. Anunoby is having a fantastic rookie season with the Toronto Raptors. OG isn’t a lock to become a future all-star, but he has that potential and is a cost-controlled asset. He will make under $6M total over his first three years. What equivalent talent can you find for $2M/year? That player doesn’t exist in the free agent market. Finally, the Raptors don’t have their draft picks this coming season. So, if they aren’t going to be adding young talent next year they need to protect the best young talent they have.

If the Raptors are serious about this three-year window they have to at least considering adding a star talent via trade. Jonas Valanciunas and some other young pieces not named OG Anunoby could be that package the Raptors offer.