The Raptors have already made two big trades this season, but that doesn't mean they're done working the phones.
After trading Pascal Siakam to the Pacers, Raptors president Masai Ujiri was asked if more trades were coming before the trade deadline. His response? "Definitely."
If Toronto does make another move, it will likely be with the future in mind. The O.G. Anunoby trade netted the franchise two young players who complement Scottie Barnes well in Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. The draw of the Siakam deal was the three future first-round picks the Raptors received from the Pacers.
With the trade deadline only days away, here's what you need to know about the Raptors' options.
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Raptors trade deadline targets
1. Draft picks
The Raptors have a solid core in place moving forward. Barnes looks like a future All-Star — he might end up being an injury replacement this year — Barrett has been a revelation and Quickley has adjusted well to being a full-time starter.
I'm sure Toronto would take more young players, but the focus of this trade deadline might be getting as many future draft picks as possible. We know the front office is looking for draft capital in return for Bruce Brown Jr. There could be additional interest around the league in the likes of Dennis Schroder, Gary Trent Jr. and Jakob Poeltl should the Raptors make them available.
The only first-round pick the Raptors currently owe is 2024 to the Spurs, which is top-six protected in 2024, 2025 and 2026. The more picks they get, the more chances they'll have to add to their core, whether that's through the draft or by packaging their picks together in a future trade for a specific player.
2. Nicolas Claxton, Nets
Claxton could be more available at the trade deadline than previously advertised, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Raptors have been connected to Claxton before, almost acquiring him at the 2022 trade deadline for a protected first-round pick. Claxton has a similar skill set as Poeltl, but he's four years younger. Wise as it would be to pair Barnes with a stretch big, Claxton would help make Toronto faster, more athletic and even more dynamic defensively.
Claxton will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, so the asking price for him might not be what it was two years ago.
3. Wendell Carter Jr., Magic
Carter is also a younger center than Poeltl who has proven to be a dynamic defender.
The biggest difference between Carter and Claxton is Carter can step out to the perimeter. He's a career 33.1 percent 3-point shooter, but he's become a more reliable 3-point threat over the last two seasons, knocking down 36.8 percent of those opportunities.
Carter may or may not be available at the trade deadline. In January, Stein reported that some rival front offices believed he would become available. However, Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer has since reported that he's no longer being considered a trade candidate.
Still, things can change quickly in the NBA. Carter's name is worth monitoring until the clock strikes 3:00 p.m.
Ranking Raptors most likely to be traded
1. Bruce Brown Jr.
Salary: $22,000,000
Toronto's asking price for Brown is said to be a first-round pick.
Brown is a valuable role player who fits anywhere. He was Denver's backup point guard in last year's championship run, he played small ball center in Brooklyn, he's a streaky but capable shooter and he's a versatile defender. He's had moments since being traded to the Raptors, but Brown is a better fit on a contending team than a rebuilding one.
The Knicks and Lakers are two teams that have been linked to Brown ahead of the trade deadline. The 76ers, Thunder and Mavericks also make sense for him.
2. Thaddeus Young
Salary: $8,000,000
Young wasn't in Toronto's rotation to start the season. He's been playing more lately because of Poeltl's injury, filling in for the big man as a small ball center. His 16-point, six-rebound, six-assist outing in a recent win over the Bulls shows that he still has some gas left in the tank.
While Young has been a bit of a bright spot lately, he's not on the same timeline as Barnes, Quickley and Barrett, and his contract could help the Raptors match salary in a deal.
3. Gary Trent Jr.
Salary: $18,560,000
It was a surprise that Trent was still on the Raptors after last season's trade deadline. He then surprised everyone again in the offseason by picking up his player option instead of entering free agency. It was reported at the time that he and the Raptors would work on "a longer term deal," but nothing has materialized.
Trent will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. If he is traded this week, the team that acquires Trent will hold his Bird rights, allowing them to go over the cap to re-sign him.
A career 38.9 percent 3-point shooter who has been one of the more disruptive defenders in the league over the last couple of seasons, Trent could have interest around the league. The Lakers and Nets have been mentioned as potential destinations for him.
