National Basketball Association

Trade value of Raptors roster is debateable

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:58 p.m. ET

Fansided, Brian Boake/FanSided via Raptors Rapture

The Raptors haven’t made a lot of trades during Masai Ujiri’s time at the top. Will there be some action this year? If so, who’s likely to go?

As the NBA trade deadline of February 23 edges ever closer, interest and ideas about how to improve the Toronto Raptors seem to increase daily. This is a positive thing; the team’s recent stumbles are a clear indication that some change is called for. The squad as currently constituted looks to be in danger of continuing its sharp slide down the standings.

Those of us who write about the team are primarily focusing on which player(s) might be added. We know players have to go the other way, which makes us sad. There are no unlikable Raptors.

Feb 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) looks to pass the ball around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Rush (4) in the second half at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 112-109. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Still, Toronto can’t get something for nothing. When considering who needs to pack his bags, I wonder if we aren’t suffering from the Raptors equivalent of “Blue and White disease”, or over-valuing our players. Which guys are genuinely attractive to other teams?

Guys staying put

First, let’s eliminate DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry from trade consideration. I’m aware that anyone can be traded, but I’m bulldog enough to say those two aren’t going anywhere.

Patrick Patterson and Delon Wright are both injured and are most unlikely to be of interest as a result. Neither will Bruno Caboclo, except as a salary-equaling throw-in.

I’m less certain of our rookies, but I doubt any of Jakob Poeltl, Pascal Siakam or Fred VanVleet will be moved. The startling improvement of Bebe Nogueira makes him highly attractive to other teams, and is also why he won’t be going anywhere.

Norman Powell might be the best value-for-money Raptor. I’d be shocked if he were traded.

Is Terrence Ross truly available? Maybe so, but Raps GM Masai Ujiri would be very leery of stripping his second unit of its best floor spacer. TRoss’ defense and rebounding has improved this season as well.

Raptors of value

That leaves the following as trade candidates, in order of attractiveness to other teams:

OK, Rapture Nation. Do you take exception with my list of trade-able assets, or their ranking? Would you move TRoss, in spite of my reservations? Let’s hear from you in the Comments.