Six trades the Toronto Raptors should consider in the 2024 NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is often an ideal place for trades to happen, as it is the penultimate event in the draft cycle and allows the 30 teams to evaluate their position in the league in preparation for free agency and the upcoming season.

That's why every year's draft always sees an average of 5-10 trades (sometimes more).

Add in the financial constraints of the new CBA, what many consider to be a “flat” draft, and the uncertainty several teams find themselves in, and you can expect an active trade cycle on draft day.

The Toronto Raptors are one team that can be pretty aggressive. What they do with the 19th and 31st picks going into their first full season of a rebuilding team will determine how they view their long-term and short-term goals. Will they fall in love with some lottery-level talent in this year's draft pool and try to move up the ranks? Or will they trade down the ranks or drop out of the draft entirely to recoup some future assets?

Even if they end up doing nothing, this is a thoughtful exercise in understanding what the Raptors organization thinks about the talent on their current roster.

Let me introduce some of my favorites.

Disclaimer: Jakob Poertl should not be traded.

The Raptors would have had the No. 8 pick in this draft had they not traded for Jakob Poeltl in February 2023. Of course, trading Poeltl would have been a big step forward. return On the surface, entering the lottery may seem like a quick way to make up for the past, but it's not exactly logical.

Don't get me wrong, the Raptors team that traded for Poeltl is not the same team that now has the 28-year-old center. That team was trying to compete then, and this team is… still figuring it out.

That being said, Poeltl has been an integral part of the Raptors' core's development. He's been especially useful as a screener, sealer and pick-and-roller sparring partner, and Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have needed Poeltl to improve their own reads and shot creation. And while his lack of a jump shot is a hindrance, his ability to pass from the high post makes him a legitimate pillar of Darko Rajakovic's offensive system, benefiting Scottie Barnes' off-ball abilities as a cutter and finisher.

If you're still unsure, here's a stat to convince you: Poertl is the only Raptors starter to have posted a positive net rating in every two-man lineup with another starter since Jan. 1.

Essentially, he is a valuable asset to the team, and there is no one on the current team who can replicate his skill set, so you shouldn't trade your current starting center unless you're confident that the player you acquire in the trade is 1) there and 2) can fill that hole.

The Raptors don't have the ammunition to pursue Donovan Clingan or Alex Sarr, who are expected to go in the top five, so they'll likely gamble on Kel'el Ware, Zach Eddy, Darron Holmes and Yves Missi, all of whom could be selected at 19th.

Trade-up options:

Sacramento gets: Bruce Brown + #19

Toronto gets: Harrison Barnes + #13

You'll notice a trend in these “trade up” scenarios: The Raptors use Bruce Brown's expiring salary (Toronto has to opt into the final year of his $23 million contract before trading him) to move up in the draft and then sign a long-term deal to do so.

The trade gives the Kings some much-needed cap flexibility after next season to move on to Brown, who would essentially be better in Sacramento, where he wouldn't have to create much himself on the offensive end and could thrive as a plug-and-play player on a playoff team — a role in which Brown has won championships.

The Raptors moved up to the 13th pick in the draft to acquire Harrison Barnes, who is due $37 million over the next two seasons. While Barnes isn't the player he once was, the 32-year-old will be a good addition to a locker room full of young players and could serve as a 3-point and defensive wing no matter where the Raptors are in their competitive cycle.

This trade allows Toronto to acquire “their guy” in the draft and gamble on a seasoned veteran, while Sacramento drops down a spot (and gets a financial advantage) to acquire Brown, a veteran who fits their offensive philosophy.

Chicago acquirers: Bruce Brown + #19 + #31

Toronto gets: Lonzo Ball + #11

It's a similar idea, but a different excuse. Lonzo has missed the past two seasons recovering from a long-term knee injury, and while he's reportedly planning to play out the final year of his contract, his future in the league is increasingly in question. On top of that, the Bulls just traded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, a trade that ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says was made as a replacement for Ball.

So the Raptors move up to No. 11 and take Lonzo, while Chicago gets Bruce Brown to help their middling ambitions and two picks in return for their hard work.

Toronto gets: John Collins + #10

Utah gets: Bruce Brown + #19

The Jazz don't need to get rid of John Collins' contract right now, but it's certainly one of the toughest contracts in the league to accept. Collins has two years remaining on his contract worth more than $52 million, with a second-year player option worth more than $26 million.

The Raptors probably wouldn't do this unless there was future assets attached, such as a future first-round pick, and from the Jazz's perspective, they're not in a cap crunch and don't have any players outside of Markkanen that they need to pay immediately, so they're in no rush to let Collins go.

Still, why not give it a thought?

Trade Down Options:

New York gets: Bruce Brown + #19

Toronto gets: Bojan Bogdanovic + #24 + #25

The Raptors and Knicks were reportedly close to signing Bruce Brown at the trade deadline, but Toronto rejected New York's offer of a first-round draft pick in 2024. How about two?

The deal allows the Raptors to drop a few spots and get a second chance in a flat draft, while the Knicks acquire Brown, whose expiring salary contract could help ease future salary-cap challenges with expected contract extensions for Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby.

And their hard work paid off: they made it into the top 20.

The final year of Bogdanovic's contract is only partially guaranteed, and the Raptors have until June 28 to decide whether to keep him and his $19 million salary with the team next season or waive him and free up cap space this summer.

Los Angeles (Lakers) Winner: #31

Toronto gets: Max Christie + #55

You want Bronny James? Bring him in. Simple.

Experience the swing:

Toronto gets: Collin Sexton + #29 + 32

Utah gets: Bruce Brown + #19 + #31

Maybe I got too carried away with this trading machine, but hear me out.

For the Jazz, this is a trade-up move: They now get two top-20 picks and move up one spot in the second round (they can trade again if they want), which only works if Utah likes another prospect and thinks they won’t drop to 29th.

For Toronto, this is a bet on Sexton, who has continued to refine his game during his time in Utah, becoming a more skilled playmaker who can score efficiently at all three levels. His size will no doubt be an issue defensively next to Immanuel Quickley, but Sexton is used to coming off the bench in the past at Utah and would fill a pressing backup point guard need. Plus, Toronto would get two picks in the draft.