Well…yesterday’s trade deadline sure was anticlimactic from a Raptors perspective. I had been waiting months to see what, if anything, the Raptors would do to try and improve the team’s chances this season. And I wasn’t alone. As I write this the Raptors Republic trade deadline topic in the forums is up to 4,910 replies and 111,398 views.
Which is what made yesterday feel so disappointing. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turns out I was rather expectant. I figured something would happen. I assumed that the Masai Ujiri would make a move to try and solidify the team’s chances when the playoffs arrive. Instead, he chose to stand pat.
And while it is disappointing, I do get it. This is likely already the best Raptors’ team in franchise history (a low bar, but still noteworthy), and is also one of the most fun. Much of that feels based on the team’s chemistry as well. The players like playing together, and chemistry can be easily lost.
So as I write this as 5:00am the morning after, I’ve managed to talk myself into the idea of sticking with what got us here. I have no idea what other team’s were asking for from Ujiri, and overall I really like this team.
My one pause for concern are the changes made by the many teams that could be the Raptors’ first round match-up. It’s tough to see the competition improving on paper, and that’s exactly what happened for many teams now fighting for the right to squeeze into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Detroit Pistons:
Detroit, currently sitting ninth in the East, made two of the more interesting moves over the past few days. They walked away with Tobias Harris, Marcus Thornton, and Donatas Motiejunas, and all it cost them was Joel Anthony, Ersan Ilyasova, Brandon Jennings, and a protected 2016 first round pick.
On paper, it’s hard not to view the trade deadline as a victory for Detroit. One would think that Tobias Harris should fit seamlessly at small forward, while also playing a good amount of his minutes as a small ball power forward next to Drummond. Stan Van Gundy should loves his versality, and he appears to fit the role that was once played by Rashard Lewis during Stan’s Orlando years.
Motiejunas is a wildcard for the Pistons, having played in just 14 games this season. Injuries are nothing new for Donatas too, but it will be interesting to see how he fits in Detroit if healthy.
Washington Wizards:
Assuming the price was right, I wanted Markieff Morris in Toronto. I believe in him as a reclamation project outside of Phoenix, and the man who recently posted 30 points (on .650 shooting!), 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal against the Raptors is now a possible first round opponent on Washington (currently 10th in the East).
The Wizards gave up Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair, and a top 9 protected pick. Outside of the pick going to Phoenix there isn’t much (any?) value being given up by Washington in this deal.
Charlotte Hornets:
Charlotte (currently 7th in the East, and would be Toronto’s first round opponent if playoffs started today) added Courtney Lee at the expense of Brian Roberts and two second round picks. Lee provides Charlotte with a badly needed wing player, especially considering Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was just lost for the season after surgery on his torn labrum.
Lee will never be confused for Kidd-Gilchrist on the defensive end, but will provide needed shooting. Although the Hornets currently take the third most three pointers in the league at 29.4 per game, they connect on just 35.3 percent on their attempts from long range, good for fifteen in the league.
Courtney Lee meanwhile is currently shooting 37 percent on 2.7 three pointers per game.
So yes…it’s frustrating to see the bottom rung of the Eastern Conference playoff picture likely getting stronger. But on paper at least, I’m still not overly concerned about any of the above teams if the Raptors face them in the first round.
And as I try to remain positive and enjoy the ride of this season, I am also reminded that it now appears even more unrealistic for the New York Knicks to make the playoffs, thus ensuring the Raptors a lottery pick this coming June.
Despite years of history telling us otherwise when it comes to the Raptors, I’m going to choose to look at the bright side of life today.
…but I reserve the right to freak out if things turn sour at any point in the coming months.
