The Toronto Raptors did well this offseason by maintaining most of their roster that succeed all the way to the playoffs before getting bounced out by the Brooklyn Nets. The team proved that youth can truly make a difference and are already penciled in as an Eastern Conference favorite this upcoming season. However, with certain keys members approaching free agency next season, trade rumors have begun to run wild for players like Terrence Ross.
Many NBA analysts are predicting a breakout year for Ross after he was a major factor in the Raptors' success last season. With that comes expectations of a large contract. Ross will become a restricted free agent in two seasons which leaves Toronto to begin deciding their plan of attack. With success comes trade rumors and right now the Raptors are denying all of them.
Reports surfaced that the Raptors had their eyes on Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried in the near future. Faried is approaching restricted free agency next summer and while Denver would ideally like to retain him, several other teams are preparing to make a large offer. The Raptors will not be one of them. According to Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com, the Raptors are not interested in the reported trade that would send Ross and manAmir Johnson to Denver for Faried and Timofey Mozgov. The trade does not make sense for either team considering both the Nuggets and Raptors have the leverage when it comes to retaining both stars.
The Raptors won a franchise-best 48 games last season which has opened them up to numerous trade rumors this offseason. They won the first battle by retaining point guard Kyle Lowry who had the attention of numerous teams in the league. His stock value was one of many Raptors' players to go up, but Toronto kept him on board with a large contract extension
DeMar DeRozan is another player facing uncertainty regarding his future. However, Pro Basketball Talk is reporting that DeRozan is off the table for any kind of trade talks. Masai Ujiri had multiple chances to trade DeRozan and Ross last season, selling the farm for draft picks and assets, but retaining everyone put them into the playoffs. Now with Paul George gone from the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks struggling to stay above water, the Raptors are in a strong position to repeat the success and get better.
