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NBA • 4 months ago

5 Hypothetical Trades the Toronto Raptors Could Make Before the Deadline

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Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

5 Hypothetical Trades the Toronto Raptors Could Make Before the Deadline

dwane casey toronto raptors — The Toronto Raptors have been knocked out of the playoffs two years in a row after winning their division. Their underwhelming performance has caused fans and experts to question whether or not the Toronto backcourt of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are enough to make a team legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. With DeRozan's impending free agency, Toronto could have a huge shift next year. Here are five trades to consider.

The Toronto Raptors have been knocked out of the playoffs two years in a row after winning their division. Their underwhelming performance has caused fans and experts to question whether or not the Toronto backcourt of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are enough to make a team legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. With DeRozan's impending free agency, Toronto could have a huge shift next year. Here are five trades to consider.

5. DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Patterson, James Johnson for David Lee, Marcus Smart, Picks

5. DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Patterson, James Johnson for David Lee, Marcus Smart, Picks

If the Raptors decide that their current core of Lowry and DeRozan is not enough for them to succeed they may choose to move him. The idea of dumping Patterson's contract and picking up a player with the potential of Smart would be tempting. The Celtics are loaded with picks, two of which belong two the Brooklyn Nets, so they have plenty of assets.

4. DeMar DeRozan for Ricky Rubio, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng, Pick

4. DeMar DeRozan for Ricky Rubio, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng, Pick

This may seem crazy because Toronto already has Kyle Lowry and Rubio has an unfortunate contract with an even more unfortunate injury history. What Toronto has done the last two seasons has not worked, and if that continues they should shake things up. Nothing would shake things up like playing Rubio and Lowry at the same time. This would require the Timberwolves going all in for the season and committing to winning right now.

3. James Johnson for Reggie Bullock and Spencer Dinwiddie

3. James Johnson for Reggie Bullock and Spencer Dinwiddie

I'm a sucker for the rare players left in the league who make their bones on the defensive end, and James Johnson is one of those. It seems that he has found his way out of the rotation in Toronto, however, and Detroit could certainly use a player like him behind their thin front line. Spencer Dinwiddie was passed in the rotation by Steve Blake, but he's shown improvement this season.

2. Anthony Bennett for Pick

2. Anthony Bennett for Pick

Anthony Bennett is averaging 6.1 MPG and in that short time is shooting 11 percent from the field. Eventually the homecoming for the former No. 1 overall pick will end. It could be by release, but some other team that doesn't value draft picks may be willing to take a chance on him. If I were to take a wild guess I'd say the Spurs could make the move.

1. Patrick Patterson for P.J. Tucker

1. Patrick Patterson for P.J. Tucker

Patrick Patterson came into the season as a projected clear starter and was bumped by Luis Scola. He has two years remaining on his deal at over $ 6 million per, and he has struggled coming off the bench this season. With DeMarre Carroll being able to play the power forward, Patterson becomes more tradable. P.J. Tucker is taking minutes from T.J. Warren in Phoenix.

Chipper Murphy is a Beat Writer for the New York Knicks on www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy or Google. “Like” him on Facebook.

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Chipper Murphy is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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