Just in: 5 Stars the Toronto Raptors Could Trade or Fade This Summer?

The Toronto Raptors enter the offseason with plenty of alternatives. That’s what happens when you dismantle a veteran squad and have the most heartbreaking losing season in a long time. The Raptors will not compete for a championship next season, but everything from continuing the dismantling to rebuilding to climb back up the standings is on the table.

One such option is to use their trade assets to acquire a star player, someone to combine with Scottie Barnes and give the Raptors a true one-two punch on which to construct a contender. Adam Laskaris of the Daily Hive examined Toronto’s history of engaging in trade negotiations for stars (including Damian Lillard last summer) and speculated on which stars the Raptors would consider this summer if they go that way.

Assume for a second that the Raptors actually want to trade for a star player to add to their team. If we do that, what kind of player should they target? Let’s take a look at the five stars Laskaris says the Raptors could trade for; should Toronto make the deal, or should they “fade” that player?

We start with the least “star” power in the bunch and work our way up to a past MVP.

No. 5: Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins was picked first overall and joined the league as a good scorer; years later, he made an All-Star Game as a member of the Golden State Warriors, but calling him a “star” on the market is definitely a stretch. Nonetheless, he has a strong background and will almost probably be available this summer as the Golden State Warriors retool their team and look to transfer salary.

We covered the potential of trading Andrew Wiggins earlier this offseason, but the reality is that he fits nicely with their current core and might be available at a reasonable price, whether they take him into their cap space or return a veteran like Bruce Brown on an expiring contract. Wiggins can defend opposing guards, spread the floor, and contribute some tertiary scoring. If the price is modest, the Raptors should look into a deal.
Verdict: Trade.

No. 4: Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges is a fascinating concept. He was one of the league’s greatest perimeter defenders for the Phoenix Suns a few seasons ago, entering the Defensive Player of the Year race and shutting down everyone from Stephen Curry to Trae Young. He was also an excellent 3-point shooter, making him the most important type of role player in the league, capable of fitting into any lineup and raising any team’s playoff chances.

Then the level-up occurred. Bridges began producing more offense for himself two years ago, first in Phoenix and then with the Brooklyn Nets after being traded for Kevin Durant. He attacked off the dribble and built a portfolio of shot-making from every location on the field, not just catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. He was the Nets’ primary offensive option this past season.

Adding an excellent wing defender who can bomb from outside and score as a secondary option to Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley? That type of athlete appears to be an ideal fit for the Raptors, or, to be honest, most teams. However, the reality of a Bridges move is less promising for a few more seasons.

First, the expense of adding Bridges would be extremely high. The fact that he could fit on any club makes him valuable to many franchises, and the Nets have turned down even high-profile trade offers during the last year. Even if they get to a point where they are ready to sell him, the competition will be severe, raising the cost.

You’ll pay whatever it takes to get a superstar, but Bridges isn’t that type of player. He has improved as an on-ball scorer, but he is not very good at it. Furthermore, as his offensive role has expanded, his defensive influence has diminished; he was distinctly ordinary on that end this season. Teams can expect him to recapture that effect in a lower position, but it’s not guaranteed. This is a trade that the Raptors should avoid.

Verdict: Fade.

 

No. 3: Trae Young.

One of the ways that clever teams build the best lineups is by determining when a player’s worth is low and getting them at a reduced cost, resulting in a higher level of quality or output. After a turbulent two of seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, it appears that Trae Young may just fit that bill.

The Hawks made the ill-fated choice to trade for Dejounte Murray two seasons ago, adding two point guards to the roster and assuming they could figure out how to share the ball. It didn’t work well, and Young, in particular, struggled to prosper in an environment unlike any other in which he had thrived before.

Trae Young’s best version is a lethal one, a player who is comfortable shooting the basketball well beyond the 3-point line and can take advantage of the space that allows him to get into the paint and fire the ball to shooters. He is still one of the top passers in the NBA.

Trading for Trae Young would mean giving up on Immanuel Quickley as the Raptors’ next on-ball star. If they try to pair the two on the roster, they will most certainly experience the same dilemma as Young and Murray did. Additionally, Toronto will want to construct an excellent defense as they build their next great squad, and Young is one of the league’s most damaging defenders. This is a simple fade.

Verdict: Fade

No. 2: Donovan Mitchell

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face a dilemma this summer regardless of how their postseason ends; at the time of writing, they are hours away from a Game 7 against the Orlando Magic, but even if they win and advance to face the Boston Celtics, their season will most likely end in disappointment.

Then there are the decisions; Donovan Mitchell is only one year away from free agency and is unlikely to sign an extension with the Cavaliers at this point. Do they risk going into the next season hoping to persuade him to re-sign? Or will they try to move him this summer to recuperate some of the exorbitant amount they paid to bring him in the first place?

If Mitchell is on the market, the Toronto Raptors might call to find out how much he is worth. Immanuel Quickley is a superior defender than Darius Garland, so the pairing isn’t as bad as it appears to be with Mitchell and Garland, and Scottie Barnes adds a lot of diversity to how the Raptors’ attack will be developed. He would provide the Raptors with a true plus scorer, something they have lacked since Kawhi Leonard’s departure. He is also young enough to continue in his prime as Barnes and Quickley reach the pinnacle of their abilities.

The difficulty with dealing for Mitchell is that he could leave Toronto as easily as Cleveland. If Masai Ujiri could get some assurances from Mitchell and his camp that they will re-sign in Toronto, this transaction could make sense; otherwise, the cost and risk would be too large.

Verdict: Trade (maybe)

No. 1: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, a former league MVP and two-time Finals MVP, is the player with the most pedigree on this list, having recently flamed out in a first-round sweep with the Phoenix Suns and potentially searching for better pastures once more. Whether the Suns trade Durant to get him out of his prohibitively costly non-contending jail or Durant asks to go, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Durant on the move again this summer.

Kevin Durant’s basketball fit with the Toronto Raptors is obvious and exciting. He remains one of the league’s best shooters, particularly from three-point range and the midrange. He automatically draws a team’s best perimeter defender to him, creating space for Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes to work. He was also really strong on defense this year, one of the few Suns who were, and having him and Barnes provide weakside shot-blocking would provide us a lot of defensive variety.

The problem with dealing for Kevin Durant is that he will be 36 years old before the start of next season, and his timeline simply does not work for the Toronto Raptors. Scottie Barnes is beginning his fourth season in the league, while Quickley is in his fifth. Pushing all of their assets into the center for a player like Durant implies that they are ready to compete for a title right away; this is not the case with the Raptors.

Toronto considered but ultimately bowed out of trade talks for Durant last year, and they are expected to do the same this year if he becomes available. The prospect of a guy like Durant is extremely appealing, but by the time this roster was complete, he would most likely be putting up his basketball shoes. This one’s an evident fading.

Verdict: Fade