Toronto Raptors Rumors: Set to Stand Pat at the Trade Deadline?

With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, what will general manager Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors decide to do?

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Will the Toronto Raptors make a move or stand pat? For some, the 3 pm ET trade deadline can’t come soon enough, to put an end to all the speculation.

Until then though, rumors will continue to circulate. For the last few weeks, various NBA analysts have claimed Masai Ujiri is looking to make a significant trade, to boost the Raptors roster.

In particular, the general manager has been apparently looking to upgrade at the forward position. This has led to Toronto being linked to various players, including Thaddeus Young, P.J. Tucker, Markieff Morris and Al Horford.

What makes this interesting, is that Ujiri is renowned for keeping his cards close to his chest. As such, we have to assume any noise is coming from the camps of the players or their current teams.

Ironically, the Raptors may be better-served not making any moves ahead of the deadline. The main reason being what it might cost to bring in a key piece.

For example, the Atlanta Hawks will reportedly only entertain an offer for Horford, if they receive a “godfather offer”. You imagine this will be the case with a lot of the players and teams Toronto has been linked to.

Dec 26, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Toronto won 111-90. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

There is no denying Ujiri has the pieces at his disposal, to put together an attractive package, including two first round draft picks for this year and next. Furthermore, they have players available to make any deal work from a financial standpoint, with Patrick Patterson seen as the most likely to be moved.

However, you could viably ask if it is worth it to the long-term future of the Raptors? For example, Horford is an unrestricted free agent after this season, meaning he could bolt in the summer, after giving up a king’s ransom to acquire him.

Also, if we base any trade on Horford’s or Young’s salary, several players would probably have to go in the opposite direction. As well as potentially gutting the current roster depth, this could ruin the team chemistry, which has never been better.

For their part, the players are happy with the team as it is. This is hardly surprising, given they have the best record in franchise history, through 52 games.

Speaking to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, Patterson said: “I feel like we’re good as is. JJ’s starting to come back, DeMarre’s coming back.

“We’re second in the East right now, we’re doing well in our conference and division. Only improving and getting better, so, in my eyes, I feel like we’re good.”

Cory Joseph agreed with his teammate, that the team is good enough. Also speaking to Wolstat, Joseph said: “Most definitely.

“We feel like that for sure, but all that (behind the scenes) stuff, we don’t control that. We just play together, play hard and try to win games.”

Of course, no matter how well Toronto plays, their lack of postseason success will continue to be a question mark, especially after last season’s first-round sweep at the hands of the Washington Wizards. As such, the players understand why moves may be made at the trade deadline.

James Johnson acknowledged this, when talking to Wolstat: “It’s a business. That’s first and foremost.

“Everybody here loves each other and we’re bonding well and our chemistry is good on and off the court. But at the end of the day, we want to make moves that better our team or to help our team out.”

Ultimately, it may be best for the Raptors to stick with their current roster. However, as evidenced by when Ujiri somehow managed to unload Andrea Bargnani, anything is possible.

Next: Is Al Horford the best fit for the Raptors?

Any last-minute predictions for the Raptors? Do you expect them to make any trades before the 3 pm ET deadline? Let us know in the comments section below.

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