Raptors Expected To Be Trade Buyers During Season

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Toronto Raptors have their sights on a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this season and are expected to be buyers on the trade market with RJ Barrett a possible candidate to be moved. Toronto recently elevated Bobby Webster to the head decision-maker role after parting ways with Masai Ujiri. 

This offseason, the Raptors discussed trades for Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, which followed their February acquisition of Brandon Ingram.

"This group under head coach Darko [Rajakovic] expects to really be a player in the playoff conversation here in the Eastern Conference," reports Jake Fischer. "They don't just want to be a play-in team. They want to be a team that really pushes for the postseason for the first time in quite some time.

"So, what does Bobby Webster have in store now with this full endorsement as head of basketball operations to continue to upgrade this roster? We shall see. But I have the Raptors earmarked already entering this year. It's super early—it's August 20th—but when we get closer to December 15th and we get closer to the February trade deadline, I have the Raptors already earmarked as a buyer."

Barrett has two more seasons remaining on his four-year contract extension signed with the New York Knicks during the 2022 offseason.

Via Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

[liquidswords]

Im usually a proponent of teams on the cusp going for it but i don't see it with Toronto. Even in a down EC year, they are not close to competing with CLE, NYK or even ORL/DET. Who are they realistically going to add thats going to vault them into contention?

[JPHolling]

Im usually a proponent of teams on the cusp going for it but i don't see it with Toronto. Even in a down EC year, they are not close to competing with CLE, NYK or even ORL/DET. Who are they realistically going to add thats going to vault them into contention?

Based on talent alone they could easily compete with DET. Unfortunately it seems more likely Torontos players wont compliment each other well on the offensive end.

If last year is an indicator to anything, the East is wide open. No one had Indiana coming out of East.

[StlHawksFan]

Are they going to get another guy that plays the exact same position as their best player? I don't really understand what Toronto is doing. Ever since they traded an unprotected pick to get Poeltl back they've been trying to go all-in with a squad that has a 45-win ceiling even if everything goes right. Winning 38 to 42 games will probably get them the 8-seed this year, but what's the point of that?

Next season they'll owe $163.5M to their starting 5. That's basically the entire cap, so no real way to get any better in the offseason either.

[kenwood3333]

Barrett was their most consistent player last season and played above his contract. He also has positive things to say about the team. And what he gets is being put on the trade market, while the team extend an injury prone former star player with a huge contract without even playing a single game. What a trash organization.

[TheCage4]

In the immortal words of Walter Matthau, "It must be nice living in Never Never Land, maybe I'll come visit you when I need a break from reality."

[beefymajesto]

Barrett was their most consistent player last season and played above his contract. He also has positive things to say about the team. And what he gets is being put on the trade market, while the team extend an injury prone former star player with a huge contract without even playing a single game. What a trash organization.

This pretty much nails it. The Ingram thing was very confusing and I was worried it meant the end for RJ. I'm hoping ingrams some kind of super player i just havent watched enough but as it is im sad at the decision. If he only plays 40 games and they trade rj its going to be even more painful.

Maybe they all function great together, what a dream that would be.