NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Deadline Deals the Toronto Raptors Need To Make
The trade deadline is approaching faster than ever, and the Raptors are almost certain to pull a move.
The Raps have nearly $13 million worth of trade exceptions remaining from the Chris Bosh trade, and there is a very good chance Bryan Colangelo will use that.
The Raps are having a bad season, nearing the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but this was expected considering the amount of youth and talent on this roster.
Here are ten trade ideas for Mr Colangelo:
Sonny Weems + Trade Exception To Phoenix For Robin Lopez + Zabian Dowdell
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This trade would do wonders for both teams.
Right now, Robin Lopez's talent is being wasted on the Phoenix bench, but would a perfect fit on the Raptors.
The Raptors are lacking a true center, and Lopez would provide them with that.
Dowdell is there because trade exception cannot be used to acquire only one player.
For Phoenix, Weems is a versatile and young athletic wing who can get out on the break and would thrive playing alongside Steve Nash.
Weems has proven to be a productive player when given minutes.
Jose Calderon + Reggie Evans + TPE To LA Lakers For Andrew Bynum + Luke Walton
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While this trade may seem like a bit of a stretch, it certainly is not crazy.
The Lakers are looking like they need a shakeup, and nobody seems to be making plays offensively, well guess what?
Jose Calderon is one of the best playmakers in the league.
You also get a rebounding specialist, who also turns out to be an expiring contract.
For the Raptors, they receive a true center with Luke Walton's bad contract.
While the Lakers may not be ready to give up Bynum, it is something they should certainly consider.
Reggie Evans + Miami 1st Round Pick + TPE To 76ers For Iguodala + Tony Battie
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The Sixers have been trying to move Iggy for quite a while now, and he would be a nice fit with a Raptors team that hasn't had a quality small forward for ages now.
The Raptors acquire a versatile and strong vetran swingman who can help lead the Raps in the future.
The Sixers can turn the keys to Evan Turner full time now, get rid of Iggy's bad contract, and receive an expiring contract in Reggie Evans.
Really, for the 76ers this is just a salary dump, which will give them an opportunity to pick up a big free agent this offseason.
Battie is there again to make it a valid trade with regards to the TPE.
Joey Dorsey + Leandro Barbosa + TPE To Indiana For Brandon Rush + James Posey
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Brandon Rush is another one of those players that is surrounded by so much talent at his position that he never really gets enough minutes.
In Toronto, Rush would get starting minutes at the small forward slot, and James Posey is a vetran coming off the bench but is more to even the salaries and give Indiana salary relief long term.
With Barbosa, the Pacers get an immediate spark off the bench and will be setting themselves up for a playoff run.
Dorsey will also help off the bench.
Amir Johnson + First Round Pick+ Weems + TPE to Memphis For O.J Mayo + Thabeet
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O.J Mayo has had a very rough season whether it's been due to fights with teammates, drugs, or problems with the coach.His time with Memphis appears close to an end, and he would fit in with the Raps quite nicely.
DeRozan would move to the small forward position, and the Raptors would have a solid starting lineup.
Thabeet has already been declared a bust, but you don't get picked in the lottery for nothing. The kid needs a chance, but it doesn't seem like he's going to get one with all the talent in Memphis' frount court.
For Memphis, they get Toronto's pick which looks to be a high one, along with Amir Johnson, who has proven to be a very productive player, and Sonny Weems.
Weems would provide a nice spark off the bench and Johnson will always be a consistent option. This would also open a starting role for Xavier Henry.
Linas Kleiza to LA Clippers For Randy Foye
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Randy Foye is a very talented player who has proven to be valuable when given minutes and could easily start at the two for the Raptors.
He's not getting much time with the Clippers, and sending him to Toronto for Kleiza would help both parties.
Kleiza gives them a tough small forward who can play inside the post but also stretch out the opposing defense.
Reggie Evans+ Miami Pick To Milwaukee For Chris Douglas Roberts + Keyon Dooling
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Chris-Douglas Roberts is in his second year, and it sure isn't how he expected it to be after a successful rookie campaign.
Contending with Carlos Delfino, John Salmons, Corey Maggette, Luc Mbah A Moute, Ersan Ilyasova and others for minutes, CDR isn't getting his share, and isn't helping the Bucks.
Dooling is just to even out the salaries.
Reggie Evans would help the Bucks in many ways, obviously rebounding being the main one.
Three Way Trade Between Raptors, Jazz, and Rockets
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Raptors receive: Terrence Williams, Gordon Hayward, Jared Jeffries
Jazz receive: Leandro Barbosa
Rockets receive: Mehmet Okur, Sonny Weems, TPE
This is a complex deal but all teams benefit.
Terrence Williams is a tremendous talent but is also very underused by his team, and Gordan Hayward showed his potential in last years March Madness tourney.
With Leandro Barbosa going to the Jazz, they receive that much needed scoring guard to play alongside Deron Williams.
For the Rockets, they are gaining Mehmet Okur, a player who can stretch out the defense, similar to Brad Miller, the former Rocket.
They would also receive Sonny Weems who can be productive off the bench.
Barbosa + Miami 1st Round Pick to Sacramento For Omri Casspi + Jason Thompson
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There have been reports that Bryan Colangelo has made offers for Omri Casspi, and acquiring him would make sense for this team.
Him and Jason Thompson would be great fits in Toronto. Thompson is playing in a packed front-court in Sacramento, and he doesn't get enough credit for his game. This guy can average a double double when given the minutes.
He would be perfect playing alongside Andrea Bargnani.
Barbosa would give the Kings a scoring option off the bench, which is a big problem for them.
Ed Davis + Leandro Barbosa + 2 First Round Picks + TPE to Denver For Carmelo
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I know this one isn't very likely, but why not have some fun?
Denver is definitely going to try and trade Anthony, but it doesn't seem like they are happy with the offers they are getting.
With Ed Davis, they get a potential star, and Barbosa has proven to be a valuable player.
They receive two first round picks, and one of them is sure to be a lottery pick.
For Toronto, bringing in Carmelo Anthony would make them an instant playoff team for the next season.
Colangelo has made an offer for Anthony, but it wasn't close to a deal. Don't expect Carmelo to be traded if no long term commitment is made, though.
Thanks For Reading
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Remember, none of these trades are rumored to happen (yet) and they are just guidelines to what the Raps could be trying to make happen.
I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading.
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