With the new year now finally upon us, speculation ahead of the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline is in full swing. Whether Toronto Raptors fans are in consensus about what the team ought to do before the Feb. 6, 2020 cut off or not, anticipation mounts across all fanbases that there will be fireworks.
In this post, just one of a series of 30, we’ll break down the reports that have started to trickle out about Raps players that may or may not be on the move. While there’s no guarantee when it comes to a league as wild as the modern NBA, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on each squad’s roster as the deadline draws near.
Players Unlikely To Be Traded
- Kyle Lowry
- Fred VanVleet
- Pascal Siakam
The Raptors looks different this season without Kawhi Leonard, though they are still finding success on the court. The team could go in many directions at the trade deadline, yet don’t expect the franchise to take on long-term money that extends past the summer of 2021 since there are whispers that the team has eyes for a certain Greek superstar who could be available at that time.
As for the team’s current star, Pascal Siakam, don’t expect him to go anywhere. The big man just inked a rookie-scale extension. Kyle Lowry just inked a one-year veteran’s extension that brings his contract to the summer of 2021 and while Fred VanVleet is in the final season of his deal (and is expected to see a sizable raise on his $9.3M salary), all signs point toward the Raptors keeping him and rewarding his play with a new deal this offseason.
Biggest Name Available On Market
- Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol was a major contributor during the Raptors’ title run, though he’s on an expiring $25.6M contract. That, combined with the report in which Toronto was floated as a potential trade destination for Andre Drummond, indicate that the team isn’t tethered to the soon-to-be 35-year-old big man.
Logical Trade Pieces
- Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka is another player on an expiring deal ($23.3M) and while there have been no reports of the team trading the big man, it would make sense for the team to listen to offers. Toronto will be hard-pressed to bring all of its free agents back this summer and if the franchise can get an asset for one of the players who could leave, it could further set up the team for the future.
Trades Are Possible
- Norman Powell
- Patrick McCaw
- Stanley Johnson
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
- OG Anunoby
- Chris Boucher
- Malcolm Miller
- Matt Thomas
- Terence Davis
- Dewan Hernandez
Norman Powell’s confidence behind the arc is apparent in year one post-Kawhi. He’s taking 5.0 treys per game this year and hitting them at a .409 clip, which is a slight increase from last season. 🏀 Patrick McCaw has only appeared in 23 games for the Raptors this season because of various injuries. 🏀 Former first-round pick Stanley Johnson’s role on the team has been minimal. He’s seen action in 15 games, catching 5.2 minutes per contest. 🏀 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played some four while Siakam was sidelined. That’s probably his best spot given his .143 mark from three. 🏀 There’s so much potential in OG Anunoby, though his inconsistency has been on display. It would be surprising if the Raptors trade him. 🏀 No player on the team has more blocks than Chris Boucher despite the fact that he’s played under 500 minutes this season. 🏀 Second-year forward Malcolm Miller has seen spotty playing time this year. He’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the year as long as the team issues him a qualifying offer. 🏀 Matt Thomas has appeared in 19 games this year. He’s hitting 46.8% of his shots from behind the arc. 🏀 Rookie Terence Davis has been a nice contributor for the Raptors this year. He’s sporting a 15.2 player efficiency rating. 🏀 Dewan Hernandez has bounced back and forth between the Raptors and their G League team. He’s seen just 11 minutes of NBA action this year.
