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Toronto Raptors: 3 reasons to make a trade approaching deadline

By Jonathan Turco

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 3: The Raptor gets fans going prior to action between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 3, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Clippers 121-103. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 3: The Raptor gets fans going prior to action between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 3, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Clippers 121-103. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images /

1. The window for winning is closing

Masai Ujiri and the rest of the Raptors’ brain trust knew they had a window of winning when they signed DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas and most recently, Fred VanVleet to extensions into the 2020-21 season. Currently, the only player on the books for longer is Norman Powell. A rebuild seemed inevitable, but they traded the face of the franchise for Kawhi and Danny, and the rest is history. As previously mentioned, making a trade may be a reason to entice Kawhi to re-sign with this team and delay that rebuild, continuing to win at a high rate.

Another reason to do a big deal before the deadline is to win not only the Eastern Conference, but be the last team remaining to hold up the Larry O’Brien trophy. With so many other teams making deals to achieve the same goal, the Raptors may be pressured into acquiring a high-caliber talent to push them over the competition.

Ibaka has been excellent for them this year and with Valanciunas coming back, they may be able to afford to use him as bait for a bigger fish. Ibaka has another year on his deal at $23 million, so pairing him with a sought-after, team-controlled rookie contract such as OG Anunoby’s might be enough to acquire an All-Star level talent.

Chemistry is always an issue when making a big roster move such as this one proposed, but with that being said, trying to involve two core pieces in Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard was supposed to be a challenge for this team as well. Kawhi leads the team in scoring and Green has become one of the better stories out of the Raptors locker room for his leadership and elite plus/minus.

Next. The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated for 2017-18). dark

Is Marc Gasol at his age and decline, or another discounted star, ripe for the Raptors to pluck? Should they shake the team up and try for Davis? Somehow convince the Wizards to trade Beal? Will the Portland Trail Blazers swap CJ McCollum for size? Regardless of which target they go after, the Raptors want to win and this trade deadline will be exciting to follow.

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