Does this trade make sense for the Toronto Raptors?
Moving Goran Dragic seems more likely to happen this year than Chris Boucher being traded, but the Toronto Raptors would highly benefit from trading both of these guys. Both being in the final years of their respective contracts, neither player presents much of a future to Toronto, which is why leveraging them now makes sense.
The Raptors moved Norman Powell at the trade deadline last year since he was going to opt-out of his contract and they would not be able to afford him.
With Boucher being in the final year of his contract and set to likely get paid more than $7M moving forward, the Raptors find themselves in a similar position of not being able to afford to keep him long-term.
In terms of getting immediate value in return to try and make the playoffs, Tomas Satoransky could definitely be a solid backup addition for the Toronto Raptors’ backcourt, especially since he has always been a really solid defender in his own right.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Raptors-Sixers Trade Is Headlined By Ben Simmons
In the three seasons prior to the 2021-22 season, Satoransky has averaged about 1.0 steal per game and has an average defensive rating of 113 for his career, which is not great but is respectable. Plus, Satoransky has shot 36.7% from three-point range or his career, making him a viable perimeter threat in Toronto’s backcourt.
We talked a little bit about the impact Jaxson Hayes could have for this team by being an avid rebounder and big man running in transition, but what about Naji Marshall and his impact on a team like the Toronto Raptors?
Marshall played his way into a contract last season for the New Orleans Pelicans and is a lengthy wing who can not only rebound but be a factor defensively as well. Toronto had success with Stanley Johnson as a hybrid forward last season off-the-bench and they could look to throw Naji Marshall into a similar role should they acquire him.
This trade with the Pelicans is definitely not the best value in terms of players that Toronto can get for guys like Dragic and Boucher, but two 2022 second-round picks and a future first-round pick is hard to turn down for two players on expiring contracts.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Raptors-Sixers Trade Is Headlined By Ben Simmons
Making this trade with New Orleans is definitely something the Toronto Raptors should look into, even if other teams around the league are interested in trading for Dragic and/or Boucher individually.
