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Toronto Raptors: 3 trades that can change the outlook on the season

By Larry Hammonds

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 11: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 11: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

It took the Toronto Raptors four games to secure their first victory of the season, and they currently sit in last place of their division and ninth place in the eastern conference standings with a 9-12 record through the first third of the season.

The Raptors have been uncharacteristically bad on defense this season. They currently rank 15th in the NBA with a 110.0 defensive rating. It’s been a decade since the Raptors have rated so poorly on defense. The last time the Raptors were credited with a defensive rating above 107.1 was in the 2010-11 season when they sported a league-worst 111.7 defensive rating.

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One could argue that the Raptors have had the same core of players and coaching staff for numerous years, and the opposition has figured them out, but the Celtics haven’t made any major changes, and they’re still a top-10 defense.

A more obvious and logical explanation for this would be the Raptors no longer have Marc Gasol or Serge Ibaka crashing the boards and stifling opponents at the rim. Siakam is tall and athletic, but he isn’t a rim protector and isn’t even a great rebounder for his size.

The Toronto Raptors should explore the trade market.

Regardless of the reasoning behind Toronto’s struggles, changes need to be made, and the team should start exploring the trade and buyout markets. Though they have been playing better as of late, the Raptors still dropped three of their last five games. After back-to-back wins against the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic and are just 5-6 against teams that made the playoffs last year. Of their 12 losses, nine were by five or more points.

For a team with title hopes entering the season and a projected top-four team in the eastern conference, a sub-.500 record and ninth place in the standings just isn’t going to cut it. Let’s explore some potential trades that can help right the ship and change the Raptors’ outlook on the season.

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