Hoops Habit
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NBA: Teams That Can Realistically Trade for Superstars

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (L) and forward Nerlens Noel (R) work out prior to a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (L) and forward Nerlens Noel (R) work out prior to a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) come off the court after a play against the Brooklyn Nets in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Brooklyn 100-95. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) come off the court after a play against the Brooklyn Nets in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Brooklyn 100-95. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are in sole possession of the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Many have questioned whether or not they can make a run to the NBA Finals, but it’s becoming clearer by the month that Toronto is a legitimate force to be reckoned with.

Not only is Toronto’s roster flush with intriguing players, but it’s in possession of the less favorable draft pick belonging to either the Denver Nuggets or New York Knicks—two teams currently in the bottom 10 of the NBA.

The Raptors have a pair of All-Star guards in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, and a rising star in 23-year-old center Jonas Valanciunas. Toronto also has a number of intriguing 25-and-under players in Bismack Biyombo, Cory Joseph, Lucas Nogueira, Terrence Ross, and Delon Wright.

Throw in the stability provided by a when-healthy DeMarre Carroll, and Toronto has the immediate forces and upside players to make a significant trade offer.

The key to Toronto’s offer would be holding onto either DeRozan or Lowry—something that would keep, at least, one All-Star on the roster with the incoming superstar. Between the players available to offer and a potential Top 10 pick, the Raptors can make a serious splash in 2016.

More hoops habit: Are the Toronto Raptors an option for Dwight Howard?

The Raptors are more of a longshot than the others, but if Toronto believes that it has a ceiling, Masai Ujiri could work magic at the 2016 NBA Trade deadline.