Raptors could use an upgrade on D
Toronto needs help with defence. Who might be a good fit?
TORONTO The Toronto Raptors play three more times before the NBA’s all-star break. When they reconvene for a home game against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 24, it will be a day after the trade deadline. The current group might be strong enough to return to the Eastern Conference final, but the past month has made that seem far less likely than it did in December.
Team president Masai Ujiri and his staff have been cautious, last completing a deal 20 months ago. If you are the betting type, a move seems unlikely. However, this group could use an upgrade, especially with Raptors forward Patrick Patterson’s wonky knee threatening his production for weeks to come.
Here are five potential trade targets that could help (salaries via basketballinsiders.com):
SERGE IBAKA
( Orlando Magic forward, US$12.25 million for 2016-17, UFA in 2017)
Long connected to the Raptors due to his closeness with Ujiri, past Toronto interest and his versatile two-way game, Ibaka has not fit in Orlando as expected. The Magic gave Oklahoma City a lot to grab the 27-year- old last summer, but aren’t expected to be able to get that kind of value back now, with Ibaka set to hit free agency in search of nearly twice as much money on a long-term deal. Opponents shoot worse at the rim against him than they do former Raptor Bismack Biyombo, and only two years ago shot just 40.7 per cent at the rim against Ibaka, an elite mark. The Raptors would likely have to part with Terrence Ross in any Ibaka deal, both to appease the Magic and to ease future cap concerns.
PAUL MILLSAP
( Atlanta Hawks forward, US$20 million for 2016-17, player option for 2017-18)
The ship appears to have sailed on Millsap. The Atlanta Hawks entered Friday only a half a game behind the Raptors and Washington for a top three spot in the East and has said Millsap is off the block. Even Atlanta dropping every game until the break might not change that. He’s also getting up there in age, declining in production and due for a monster salary. The asking price was massive a year ago when the Raptors aggressively pursued a deal. Add up all of that and keep in mind that Kyle Lowry will be getting a huge raise of his own and Millsap might be too rich for Ujiri’s blood.
TAJ GIBSON
( Chicago Bulls forward, US$8.95 million for 2016-17, UFA in 2017)
Another Toronto near-acquisition from years past, Gibson is a rugged rebounder and defender with a limited offensive game. Chicago is in the playoff hunt, but could use some young assets with the team’s future path uncertain. Gibson is better than Jared Sullinger, a lot like Amir Johnson and would be a nice fit. A former USC teammate of DeMar DeRozan, he would up the compete level and shore up the Raptors’ rebounding issues. He will be 32 in June though, and would likely be a rental. Making a deal work would be tough money-wise. Sullinger and a first (the Raptors have two late picks this summer) doesn’t work, but Sullinger and a prospect like Delon Wright would. That seems like a short-sighted idea, though.
TREVOR BOOKER
( Brooklyn Nets forward, US$ 9.25 million in 2016-17, US$9.15 million in 2017-18, UFA in 2018)
Not as exciting a name, but Booker is in the Gibson mould: big, tough, competitive, with a more varied outside game and slightly less effective defence. He’s also a couple of years younger with far less mileage. The fact he has another year before entering free agency is also enticing. Booker attacks the boards ferociously at both ends and Toronto could use some of that doggedness. But making the money work would again be a challenge. Cory Joseph and a first would work. The Raptors still love Joseph, but have Wright and Fred VanVleet waiting in the wings behind Lowry, and Joseph could opt out after next season.
WILSON CHANDLER
( Denver Nuggets forward, US$ 11.23 million in 2016-17, US$12 million in 2017-18, player option for 2018-19)
Ujiri brought him to Denver in the Carmelo Anthony deal years ago and knows him well. Chandler has been a solid two-way player when healthy. He’s battled injuries, but was in the lineup all last year for the Nuggets and has done the same so far in 2016-17. He is in the midst of one of the best campaigns of his career, shoots about as well as Ross and can play three positions, is a good rebounder and a better and more aggressive defender. Would a straight swap make sense for both sides? Or would the Raptors want more given Ross is three and a half years younger and signed for an extra year?
ALSO WORTH A CALL
New York G Courtney Lee, Philadelphia F Richaun Holmes, Phoenix C Tyson Chandler, Phoenix F P.J. Tucker, Portland F Ed Davis, Utah F Derrick Favors, Detroit F Marcus Morris.