Toronto Raptors: 3 reasons to make a trade approaching deadline

2. Need for more shooting

The Raptors hit the sixth-most 3-pointers in the league but at the eighth-worst efficiency (34.5 percent). Heading into the season, no one could’ve predicted the downfall of C.J. Miles (44 effective field goal percentage) and OG Anunoby hitting a sophomore slump. Both were above-average outside shooters last year, and without their production coming off the bench, the lack of spacing limits the Raptors’ offensive potency, despite ranking seventh in offensive efficiency.

The additions of well-respected and elite shooters in Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard replacing two non-3-point shooters should indicate an increase in production from beyond the arc, and it is not from lack of trying.

With an abundance of shooters available to be had via trade, the question is how much of an improvement would they be to the current playoff-shortened rotation on both ends of the floor? Almost anyone can be an improvement over Miles’ lackluster year, and he currently isn’t a main contributor in the team’s rotation since Norman Powell has taken almost all of his minutes.

OG Anunoby is having a down year as well, but he is still aggressive on the defensive end of the floor, and is only in his second year of his career — far too early to give up on an asset that has shown tremendous upside.

So what kind of trade could they look to accomplish to have an impact on the perimeter? The biggest name to acquire would be Bradley Beal. Like the Davis deal, this would surely mean one or two or three of the current young core players going the other way, and with John Wall‘s unfortunate setback, the Washington Wizards may be more inclined to keep Beal this year for a playoff push, then deal him in the summer with a better prospective of the roster.

Other options for the Raptors to pursue include Wesley Matthews (buyout), Wayne Ellington (buyout) Nikola Mirotic, E’Twaun Moore, Terrence Ross (yes, that Mr. T-Dot Flight 31) or Courtney Lee.