NBA Trade Rumors: Trade Priorities For All 30 Teams

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Jan 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during their game against the Detroit Pistons at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pistons 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors may have the best backcourt in the NBA with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the team towards the top of the Eastern Conference. Surprisingly enough, the Raptors are playing well without their newest addition DeMarre Carrol, who has not played since Jan. 6. He is taking shots, but not jump shots, according to the Toronto Sun’s Ryan Wolstat.

Casey said no real update on James Johnson a bad sprain. No timetable on a return. Carroll update: Now shooting shots, but not jump shots.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) February 4, 2016

Carroll’s signed a four-year, $60 million deal in the offseason to join the Raptors. The Raptors’ success without him has been impressive, winning 14 of their last 16 games entering the All-Star break. But there is still room to improve for the Raptors, who look to take over the top seed in the East.

ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that the Raptors are interested in Suns’ forwards Markieff Morris and P.J. Tucker, who is a former Raptor. The Suns are likely to make at least one move, most likely involving Morris, before Thursday’s trade deadline passes. The Raptors could add Morris to a rotation that already includes Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson at power forward.

Toronto, I'm told, also showing interest in Suns' Markieff Morris; PHX widely seen as a LOCK to do at least one deal before Feb. 18 deadline
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 3, 2016

If the Raptors were to acquire Morris, they’d likely have to move either Scola or Patterson for salary purposes and playing time. Patterson would make the most sense, since he is signed through next season for $6 million.

Forward James Johnson and rookie point guard Delon Wright will likely be involved in any deal for the Raptors for a wing player. Johnson is on an expiring deal and Wright has untapped potential due to limited playing time this season.

Adding to the wing or upgrading at power forward are both good options for the Raptors. Upgrading either position will make Scola and Johnson expendable and Wright adds potential and a long-term element to any potential deal. The Raptors need to take advantage of the deadline to upgrade their forwards.

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