The Toronto Raptors are the East's hottest team and are surging ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline. They have won six straight games, which is currently the second longest active winning in the league. Toronto has jumped into 6th place in the East and could still rise in the standings if they continue to play in peak form.

With the Eastern Conference wide open, the Raptors could look to make a move at the trade deadline. Raptors president Masai Ujiri isn't afraid to make a splash if it means improving Toronto's chances in the playoffs.

As good as Toronto has been, this team is still in dire need of additional depth, with head coach Nick Nurse already running tight rotations as early as January. With that, here are three trades the Raptors must make before the NBA's trade deadline.

3 trades Raptors must make before 2022 NBA trade deadline

1. Myles Turner

Myles Turner has seen his name on the rumor mill ever since last season. The 25-year old has also been linked with the Raptors, who are reportedly interested in acquiring him from the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana has already moved on from Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis. Turner could very well be the next to go within the next two days.

Turner is a guy who Nurse would like due to his ability to defend the paint. The 6-foot-11 big man, who leads the league in blocks per game (2.8) this season, is one of the best rim protectors in the league. Per NBA.com, Toronto allows the 6th highest field goal percentage in the restricted area. Turner's presence should give the Raptors a solid last line of defense.

Turner is also a capable shooter from beyond the arc at the center position. He isn't an elite sniper by any means (career 34.9 percent), but he at least gives them an option to space the floor.

2. Jakob Poeltl

With the Raptors in need of a legitimate center, they could bring back a familiar face in Jakob Poeltl. Toronto included Poeltl in that deal that brought in Kawhi Leonard in the summer of 2018. After four seasons, a reunion could be in the cards between the two parties.

The Raptors have expressed interest in acquiring a big man at the deadline. And aside from Turner, Poeltl is reportedly among their top targets.

One of Toronto's most glaring weaknesses is their lack of a true inside presence offensively. Per NBA.com, the Raptors rank 24th in the league in points in the paint. Getting Poeltl would address that need as he ranks 10th in that department across the entire Association.

The San Antonio Spurs big man is having a career year in his 6th NBA season. In 44 games, Poeltl is averaging 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 61.4 percent from the field.

3. Spencer Dinwiddie

Aside from big man help, the Raptors also need more guard depth behind first-time All-Star Fred VanVleet. Coach Nick Nurse doesn't seem to trust Malachi Flynn just yet, thus acquiring a veteran may be one of their priorities at the deadline. They could target Washington Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie to provide a proven scoring punch off the bench.

Dinwiddie isn't having his best season as Washington's starting point guard. But he has proven in the past that he can thrive in a 6th man role, which is likely what he'll get if the Raps acquire him.

Toronto's top scorer off the bench is Chris Boucher, who averages 9.0 points per game. They rely heavily on their starting five to fill up the box score.

Dinwiddie could be the spark they need in their second unit. As primarily a 6th man for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2018-19 season, he averaged 16.8 points and 4.6 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field.