With the season approaching the much anticipated trade deadline, the Raptors should begin to recognize that they need some help if they want to make a deep run this year.
None of the players I will look at are going to be fantasy draft style trades, and they are not going to change the fortune of the season, but rather they are guys who can help the Raptors to improve slightly and improve some areas where the Raptors are struggling.
Richaun Holmes
Holmes is an unknown young player, but he has a lot of raw athleticism and talent that has always surfaced itself with minutes. Holmes has averaged 9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per 36, but it is his hustle and athleticism that gives opponents problems. Holmes is a fantastic screen setter and is very good at catching and finishing at the rim on the pick and roll. The Raptors really lack a big like this who can fly up for alley oops with consistency. Having a threat to catch a lob, as well as some shooters around the perimeter will give Lowry and Derozan much more room to operate on the offensive end. Holmes’ rim protection would also be a welcomed site on a team that is really struggling to fill the lost void of Bismack Biyombo.
Holmes is young and talented, but he is also buried on the 76ers depth chart. With Embiid, Noel, and Okafor, perhaps Philly could afford to part ways with Holmes for a lesser cost than he might ordinarily receive in a trade.
In a game with Embiid and Okafor out two weeks ago, Holmes got a chance to showcase his talent against the Clippers.
Courtney Lee
It is no surprise that the Knicks have fallen apart. While the entire NBA is talking about where Carmelo Anthony will wind up, I think Courtney Lee could be the more intriguing piece that a team can look to acquire without potentially messing up the chemistry. Lee is shooting 41% on 3 pointers this year, and has been the Knicks most consistent defender this year as well. Lee may not have eye popping numbers, but he only has a 13% usage rate. Lee is a guy who is content playing off the ball, but he is someone who can create his own shot when he sees a plus matchup.
Lee has 2.6 win shares this year, and would be an improvement on the Raptors spacing and defense. He may not cost too much, but he could be a very sneaky acquisition if the Raptors choose to go after someone on the Knicks, who are very likely to be sellers.
Wilson Chandler
Chandler is a really intriguing player and is someone who can immensely help the Raptors. Chandler is someone who came out as unhappy with his role the other week, and has been promptly given 40 minutes in 3 of the last 4 games with Danilo Gallinari injured. He has responded well to this increased role by putting up a few massive games in his absence. Chandler is a 35% 3 point shooter, and although that is not great, he can also create his own shot, and is a solid defender.
Chandler would be a definite upgrade on Demarre Carroll, and he is better suited to play the 4 when the Raptors choose to go small. Chandler may be a little costly, but he could certainly put this team up another level. Also, shifting Carroll to the bench would allow for a Lowry-Joseph-Ross-Carroll-Patterson type of lineup for the bench unit.
Chandler can take a little of the ball handling duties away from Lowry and Derozan, and attract some more defensive attention, while also being able to shift into the stretch 3 and 4 duties when Lowry and Derozan are ball dominant.
All three of these guys could possibly make an impact and fill a void of the Raptors really needing a three and D wing, better perimeter defense, 3 point shooting as well as a pick and roll threat. The first two options will likely come at low cost, while Chandler is a bit of a longer term investment. We’ll see if the Raptors decide to make a move.
What do you guys think? Who are you guys hoping the Raptors target at the deadline?
