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The Toronto Raptors have been one of the most surprising teams this season and for all the wrong reasons.
After being just one game away from making the Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors have somehow managed to start this season in 14th place, 10 games in.
Just one year after head coach, Nick Nurse, won Coach of the Year, this is unprecedented.
The Raptors have had inconsistent efforts from their star players, Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet. Their bench production, which at one time was their strength, has become one of their weaknesses.
The Raptors are also clearly missing a major front court presence following a departure from both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. A decline in production was expected, but a decline this drastic is shocking.
It is still early so there may be no reason to panic, but on the other hand, maybe a trade is imminent. The Raptors may need to make a few roster moves to shake things up and bring them back into a playoff spot.
Here are three potential trades to fix the Raptors 2-8 start.
#1. Raptors trade with Kings
Raptors trade away: Norman Powell, 2021 2nd round pick
Raptors receive: Marvin Bagley III
Norman Powell has been one of the Raptors more reliable players over the last few years. He is a two-way player who plays within the offense and has improved his three-point shooting and decision making every year.
Powell was coming off of a career year averaging 16 points per game shooting almost 50% from the field in 2019. Poised for a breakout season, Powell hasn't performed as expected.
Powell's shooting percentage has plummeted to 37% and is only averaging 10.5 points per game.
The Kings are going to take advantage of Powell's early season slump and unload a player of equivalent value who has been on off-court distraction.
Marvin Bagley's dad lobbied to the Kings via Twitter to trade his son because of a lack of opportunity. There would be no better place than to the Raptors.
Bagley would start at the five for the Raptors and bring length, rebounding, mobility, and versatility to their front court.
He would have ample opportunities on offense and could really improve the Raptors interior presence. This trade could get them out of their slump.
#2. Raptors trade with the Blazers
Raptors trade away: Patrick McCaw, 2021 2nd round pick, 2024 2nd round pick
Blazers trade away: Zach Collins
This trade may be minor, but could pay dividends for the Raptors if everything works out.
The Blazers have really no incentive to move on from Collins other than his contract is up and he hasn't shown that he can provide big minutes for the Blazers.
With Nurkic and Kanter holding down the fort in Portland, they really have no use for Collins and are looking to receive some draft capital for him.
The Raptors don't have to unload a first round pick since Collins hasn't been very productive in his career and Patrick McCaw who isn't really a factor for the Raptors success.
Collins, when healthy, can be an elite rim protector and rebounder on this second unit. Effectively, this would move Chris Boucher into the starting lineup, or force Toronto to play twin-tower basketball with both of them on the floor at the same time.
This would help the Raptors maintain consistency in their front court.
#3. Raptors trade with Houston Rockets
Trade away: Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, 2021 1st round pick, 2023 1st round pick
Receive: James Harden, PJ Tucker
This is obviously an unlikely situation, but is still a trade that could happen given the situation of both the Rockets and the Raptors.
The Rockets had trouble with James Harden this summer. He spoke out multiple times on how he was unhappy and wanted to be traded. They haven't pulled the trigger and Harden is off to a hot start in the 2021 season.
That doesn't mean that Bearded one is happy where he's at though.
The Raptors may look to shake things up after their playoff loss last season and poor start to this one. It may be time to be re-think if Siakam can carry a team and be the number one scoring option.
This trade helps both organizations.
The Rockets can move on from Harden with draft capital and young assets while still being competitive with John Wall on the roster.
The Raptors get a legitimate superstar to make them competitive again in the Eastern Conference. Harden is not only their number one option, but is their centerpiece for as long as he is under contract.
This trade would mortgage a bit of the future, but may be a calculated risk worth taking.
The Raptors get the beard and get back to the Conference Finals.
Overall
Overall, the Raptors are starting out slow, but it's not like they don't have the potential to win games.
With Pascal Siakam picking up the slack the last few games and Chris Boucher emerging onto the scene as a true rim protector, the Raptors should get back to their winning ways sooner than later.
Fred Vanvleet and Norman Powell will have to be more consistent for the Raptors to regain playoff form.
That is, unless, a major trade happens.
