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Losers From The NBA Trade Deadline

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a play during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. The Wizards won 123-122. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a play during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. The Wizards won 123-122. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

Just to be clear, the Raptors are on this list because of the trade deadline only. They obviously aren’t losers considering they are second in the East with a 35-18 record and could very well put up a fight against Cleveland in a seven-game series.

BUT, in order to make that argument stronger and possibly give them a slight edge over the Cavaliers, acquiring a stretch-4 during the deadline was mandatory.

With Washington’s trade for Markieff Morris just before the deadline, it’s interesting to think if whether or not Toronto could’ve made a move to acquire him, but obviously that ended up falling through. Now Toronto will continue to wait until DeMarre Carroll returns from injury to get their playoff rotation set.

Looking forward, the Raptors will be led by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, which has been successful thus far, but is it enough to push them passed LeBron James and the Cavs? That’s the big question. Another thing Toronto has to keep in mind is keeping DeRozan once July hits.

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DeRozan becomes an unrestricted free agent and will more than likely receive max contract offers from a plethora of teams.