Toronto Raptors: The Top 10 Trades the Team Should Make Next
This is a top-10 list of trades the Toronto Raptors should make with an eye on the future.
These deals are completely fictitious and are not based on any current rumors.
Rather we have looked for good fits or players that the Raptors may covet in compiling this list.
As a Raptor fan I admit that these deals may be in the Raptors favor from a long-term perspective as these were the types of deals I tried to construct.
I have confirmed that all of these deals would work under the salary cap rules by utilizing ESPN’s trade machine.
Peja Stojakovic for Andre Iguodala
1 of 10
Peja Stojakovic for Andre Iguodala
Before the trade of Samuel Dalembert the 76ers were looking for anyone who would take on the contract of either Elton Brand or Andre Iguodala and give them a half decent return.
Now that they have unloaded Dalembert’s contract they will not be as desperate to deal but may resign to the fact that Iggy’s deal is too large for a rebuilding team and look to trade both AI2 and Brand before this years trade deadline.
The 76ers would make this trade purely for salary cap relief while the Raptors would make the trade with the hopes that Iggy would make them a legit threat once they finished their retool this upcoming summer.
Hasheem Thabeet for Trade Exception, 2nd Round Pick
2 of 10
Hasheem Thabeet for Trade exception, 2nd round pick
This deal has a decent chance of going down if the Raptors were to offer it.
The Grizzlies have been willing to part with Thabeet’s large contract since last season and if they could unload it for free they might be willing to pull the trigger.
With Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Darrell Arthur, Hasheem Thabeet is expendable and his large contract makes him a likely candidate to be dealt.
This move would be a salary dump for the Memphis Grizzlies while it would give the Raptors a potential intimidating force in the paint that will be ready in a couple of years time.
Daniel Orton for Trade Exception, Miami’s 1st Round Pick in 2011 Draft
3 of 10
This deal would give the Magic a return for a player that does not really figure into their plans this season or beyond with Dwight Howard manning the middle. He was definitely the best player available when they picked so we cannot fault the Magic for drafting a player they could not use.
The Raptors would be getting the type of true center with upside they have coveted since Marcus Camby and the Magic would gain financial flexibility and be armed with two late first round picks that they could use to move up in the 2011 draft to get a potential impact player.
Peja Stojakovic for Andris Biedrins, Dan Gadzuric
4 of 10
Peja Stojakovic for Andris Biedrins, Dan Gadzuric
This trade could also be done for the trade exception alone if the Warriors are looking for a simple salary dump.
The Warriors regret giving Biedrins this contract and may be willing to part with him on the cheap.
Andris Biedrins would provide the Raptors with the the shot-blocking, rebounding defensive presence they so dearly covet for the center position.
The Warriors would be executing a salary dump that would likely excite everyone in Oakland.
Reggie Evans and Joey Dorsey for Patrick Patterson and Jordan Hill
5 of 10
Reggie Evans and Joey Dorsey for Patrick Patterson and Jordan Hill
This trade is a bit far fetched as the Rockets are not likely to give up two solid prospects when they are not sure they can make the playoffs this year.
Evans and Dorsey would provide them solid rebounding but the Rockets may not be willing to sacrifice the future with Yao Ming’s health in question.
Patrick Patterson and Jordan Hill would be exceptional pieces to add to our core group of players.
Jose Calderon for T.J Ford
6 of 10
Jose Calderon for T.J Ford
This would be a pure salary dump for the Raptors but is a deal that still makes some sense.
The problem here being we are not sure the Pacers are still in the market for a point guard after acquiring the promising Darren Collison this summer.
This is a deal that was discussed this summer but killed by Bryan Colangelo for obvious reasons.
Peja Stojakovic for Samuel Dalembert and Hassan Whiteside
7 of 10
Peja Stojakovic for Samuel Dalembert and Hassan Whiteside
The Sacramento Kings have a crowded front court and rather than trade away a promising prospect like Jason Thompson the Kings should look to unload Samuel Dalembert and his expiring contract.
In this deal the Kings get a solid small forward to come off the bench and function as a three-point specialist with the added benefit of reuniting the Arco faithful with one of their former stars in Peja Stojakovic.
The Raptors get two centres and fill a position of need they were looking to address all summer. Dalembert will likely walk to a contender over the summer but will enjoy playing in his adopted home country of Canada.
Hassan Whiteside was given a serious look at #13 by the Raptors this summer and is someone they would likely not pass up an opportunity to get their hands on.
Joey Dorsey and Trade Exception for Avery Bradley
8 of 10
Joey Dorsey and Trade Exception for Avery Bradley
The Celtics are in need of another big man with their own bigs suffering various ailments. Joey Dorsey would not project to have a role when the team is healthy but when and if any of the bigs go down he can provide excellent rebounding in limited minutes.
His toughness is another aspect that would endear Joey Dorsey to the Celtics.
The Raptors would get their hands on a combo guard they coveted this summer but ultimately passed on after he suffered an injury and Ed Davis slipped right into the Raptors laps.
The Celtics may demand Miami’s 2011 pick as well and I think that would still represent a good deal for the Raptors.
Andrea Bargnani and Reggie Evans for Josh Smith
9 of 10
Andrea Bargnani and Reggie Evans for Josh Smith
Now while this trade is the most appealing I am not sure this is the type of deal the Hawks would be looking to make as Josh Smith is superior in almost every aspect.
The Hawks would be adding another shooter but giving up on defense.
The Raptors would get an amazing stat stuffing high flyer that could play the 2 or the 3 for the Raptors.
The only way this deal gets consummated is if the Hawks are desperate to shed salary near the trade deadline.
Peja Stojakovic for Andrei Kirilenko
10 of 10
Peja Stojakovic for Andrei Kirilenko
This scenario would involve trading expiring contract for expiring contract but would likely represent a win-win for both teams.
The Jazz are in need of a solid three-point shooter and Peja Stojakovic could likely help them in a limited bench role where he would be employed strictly as a three-point specialist.
Andrei Kirilenko makes little sense for the Raptors unless they plan on signing him for 2011 and beyond.
Kirilenko does however bring the type of defensive toughness the Raptors are looking to inject into their franchise.
