Toronto Raptors will look to trade Goran Dragic before NBA trade deadline
Losing Kyle Lowry in the offseason was a really big blow to the Toronto Raptors, especially since they had the option to trade him to the Heat, 76ers, or Lakers last season at the trade deadline for more value than they received this offseason. Lowry was traded to the Heat this offseason in a sign-and-trade deal that resulted in Toronto getting Precious Achiuwa and veteran guard Goran Dragic.
Both Achiuwa and Dragic are not terrible players, but this Raptors team really has no identity right now. We have no idea what to expect from Nick Nurse’s squad until they actually take the court and play for a week or two during the regular season.
Toronto has some really solid talents in Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr. and others, but there really is nothing to this team right now. Siakam is currently out with a shoulder injury, VanVleet seems to be nothing more than a high-level role player in the backcourt and there are question marks about whether or not Anunoby and Trent Jr. can be key, core pieces moving forward.
With no true leader on this team and this upcoming year being a mystery for the Toronto Raptors, it should not come as a shock if Masai Ujiri decides to make this team a “seller” before the trade deadline. Siakam and VanVleet were instrumental in the Raptors winning a title in 2019 and they have proven to be championship pieces, but they need another established star next to them.
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Moving some pieces around at the trade deadline, specifically, Goran Dragic seems like something we will see happen for the Raptors, especially since they do need to do some kind of a small rebuild. This team is good and they can absolutely make the playoffs, but losing Kawhi following their 2019 title run and Lowry this offseason leaves this organization with some holes to fill.
Pascal Siakam is a finished product at this point and is not really going to get any better than he already is, which is why Toronto needs another superstar talent to contend for a title. Who knows what this team would get for Dragic and who knows what future talents they will be targeting in trades and free agency, but the Raptors might as well trade Goran Dragic now while he still holds some value and while they can get future assets for him.
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Between Siakam, VanVleet, Trent Jr., and Anunoby, the Raptors have invested a total of $273M in these four players through the 2023-24 season. They do not have many ways to free up cap space, which is why trading Dragic to get assets right now is a move Toronto must consider.
Do not be surprised if Goran Dragic begins the season with Toronto and then is traded either in the first two months of the season or near the trade deadline.
Verdict: BUY
