We haven’t tried a trade proposal in a while. Here’s one from a reader in which the Magic and Raptors make some radical changes.
Reader/commenter Vinny has offered a trade proposal worthy of analysis.
Magic get SF Terrence Ross, SF DeMarre Carroll & 2017 first-rounder
Analysis
If you believe the team which gets the best player wins the trade, then the Raptors come out on top of this one. Serge Ibaka is much more than a “stretch-4”. During his time in Oklahoma City, he was dubbed “Death to flying things” for his prolific and often out-of-nowhere blocked shots.
He was moved to Orlando in the off-season for Victor Oladipo, but so far Ibaka’s Magic Kingdom sojourn has been a disappointment. The Magic have floundered due to their dismal offense. A team which allows a miserly 97.3 points per game (that’s almost a point better than the Spurs) should be better than 8-12 and headed for the draft lottery, again. However, their 93 points PG scored is the league’s second-worst, better only than the Dirk-less Mavericks.
Nov 4, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) dunks the ball against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jodie Meeks is one of those “next-year” players; he’s going to be better, just you wait. He’s played 4 games in the past 2 seasons due to injuries, and is 29 years old.
Vinny believes the secret sauce in this deal is Mario Hezonja. The second-year swingman was a lottery pick out of Croatia. He has disappointed as a sophomore (17.2% from beyond the arc) and isn’t playing much. NBA history is festooned with players who struggled early, then found their games. Hezonja may be another.
Departing the Raptors
Vinny offers two of our best outside shooters, Terrence Ross and DeMarre Carroll, in exchange. I would be reluctant to give up both of them unless I was very comfortable that Hezonja, in particular, was going to rediscover his shooting stroke.
The loss of a draft pick isn’t desirable, but may be necessary to seal the deal. I wouldn’t offer it up front.
Conclusion
If I were Masai Ujiri, I wouldn’t make this trade. It’s not a bad deal in the abstract, and the money works. Both teams might well end up winners. The Raptors would receive a defensive stalwart who can score in Ibaka, a question mark in Meeks (though he’s had decent seasons, and is a quality defender), and the boom-or-bust Hezonja. The Magic would receive immediate scoring help, and both our guys can defend.
However, the timing isn’t right for the Raps. Certainly, there are teams which need to make deals. If I’m the Wizards GM, for instance, I’m working the phones hard. Washington looks like a failed chemistry experiment. Sacramento might lose both Boogie Cousins and Rudy at season’s end if they don’t deal them for immediate help. Should those two walk without compensation, the Kings could lose 60 games next year. Philly still has a surfeit of big men. Portland’s guards can score, but can’t defend. Dallas has to be considering trades, though they don’t have much to offer in return. And I suspect Orlando GM Rob Hennigan is close to panic.
Nov 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
By contrast, Toronto is on a 6-game winning streak, during which they have flayed their opponents. The team has no troublemakers that I’m aware of. Everyone is getting minutes and contributing.
For a “win-now” squad to shake things up seems misguided. Lord knows I don’t like complacency. If coach Dwane Casey sees signs of excessive swagger, all he need do is order his players to watch videos of the losses to the Kings. Humility should rapidly return.
Vinny has come up with an interesting deal. If Toronto’s season starts going sour, it might be worth revisiting around the trade deadline. However, as of this writing, I don’t think I’d do this deal or any others.
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