"The idea that the Raptors want to trade for a star is neither a surprise nor a problem in its own right. They have long been in the mix on most stars that hit the market; few big-name free agents are going to sign outright with the Raptors, so the trade market is their best bet to add an established player."
"At 25-17, the Raptors are currently in strong position to make the playoffs. Scottie Barnes has continued to grow as a player and is leading the way as a near-certain All-Star. Yet no one in the building or outside believes the Raptors can win a title as currently constructed. That's why trading for a star-level player makes sense; they have good-not-great starters around Barnes and inexpensive, underrated bench pieces."
"Making a consolidation trade for a star and then having bench pieces step up the totem pole makes a lot of sense. The problem is that the Raptors aren't merely looking into ceiling-raising stars; they are looking at buy-low opportunities for former stars. Trading for Anthony Davis as he continues to battle injuries; trading for Domantas Sabonis as the Kings face the music and prepare to tear it all down."
The Toronto Raptors sit at 25-17 and are in a strong position to make the playoffs, with Scottie Barnes emerging as a near-certain All-Star. The roster features good-but-not-great starters and inexpensive bench pieces that could support a consolidation trade for a star. The front office is pursuing buy-low opportunities among former stars, including Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, and Ja Morant. Ja Morant remains talented but has regressed on the court; in 18 games he averages 19 points while shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three. Acquiring Morant risks declining efficiency and jeopardizing team cohesion and winning prospects.
Read at Raptors Rapture
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