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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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors trade No. 1:

The Raptors’ struggles largely stem from the inability to replace Gasol and Ibaka.  To replace the team’s production at the center position, the front office signed Aron Baynes and Alex Len in free agency. Len was waived less than a month into the season after playing a mere 76 total minutes across seven appearances, and Baynes has struggled all season.

Coming off back-to-back seasons shooting over 34 percent from 3-point range, Baynes is converting just 22.2 percent of his 3-pointers this season and shooting a career-low 39.8 percent overall. Luckily for the Raptors, it hasn’t been all bad with Chris Boucher emerging as a formidable backup, but he’s struggled with consistency and continues to have lapses on defense and bite on pump fakes.

This is where Hassan Whiteside comes in. While Whiteside can’t stretch the floor like Ibaka or Gasol, the Raptors have enough perimeter shooting where that shouldn’t be a worry. He’s proven he can still be an elite shot-blocker as he led the league in total blocks (196), block percentage (8.4), and blocks per game (2.9) last season while playing for the Portland Trailblazers.

Whiteside averaged 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 30 minutes per game across 67 games last season and has averaged a double-double every season of his career that he’s seen at least 20 minutes per game.

Trading for a player with Whiteside’s skillset should immediately pay dividends for a Raptors team that ranks 27th in rebounds per game (43) and 15th in defensive rating (110). He can instantly slot in as the starting center and fortify the paint, keeping opponents off the glass. His knack for offensive rebounds (career average of 3.3 offensive rebounds per game) will create more possessions for the Raptors.

Per NBA rules, the Kings have to wait three months from the day he signed his contract before they can trade him, so Whiteside isn’t eligible to be traded until after Feb. 25th. Though they would still have to wait a few weeks before pulling the trigger on such a deal, it’s still an avenue the Raptors should explore. He doesn’t solve all of their problems, but he’s on a cheap one-year contract and helps them in multiple areas of need.

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