The Toronto Raptors believe that one roster upgrade and they are real contenders with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. With injuries to players like DeMarre Carroll, the Raptors are seeking a forward to help on offense for the second half of the season. With a few trade assets to spare, the Raptors have a list of players they plan to target in a trade before the deadline.
According to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, the Raptors would ideally like to trade for Al Horford, but the Atlanta Hawks have too high of a price tag on the center. The Raptors would love the elite player as they sit as the second best team in the East, but Toronto is not willing to give up what the Hawks are requiring. Right now, the team is favoring deals involving veterans like Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson. The Hawks have no interest in that trade package.
So where do the Raptors look if Horford is not an option? Brian Windhorst of ESPN believes that Markieff Morris could still be a potential target. The Phoenix Suns could be growing desperate to deal the forward who is starting to let his frustration take over. If the Suns are willing to accept a smaller trade package, Morris could help push the Raptors in the postseason. Outside of Morris, Windhorst reports that Kenneth Faried and Thaddeus Young will also be targets by the team depending on what they want to give up. The Raptors have stashed draft picks they can offer and a few young players that might garner interest. Lucas Nogueira along with some first-round picks could turn heads on the open market.
Acquiring someone like Faried or Morris would not be the worst option considering their contracts. Each player has years remaining on their deals, but the Raptors have space to keep them around while still retaining DeMar DeRozan. The star recently told the media that he is aware of the interest in him come free agency, but he favoring a return to Toronto. The Raptors could then use this trade deadline to get one piece that sets them up better for the future as well as short-term playoff run.
"My whole mindset has always been this is home for me," DeRozan said, via ESPN.com. "I never think otherwise unless it's brought up to me, or you see things, or people ask you about certain things. This has always been home to me. I took pride in putting on this Toronto Raptors jersey since I've been drafted here. And my whole goal was to get this team to the point where it is now. And I feel I've been a major key to that."
The Raptors know they are on the brink of being able to compete with the Cavaliers. The team's playoff run ended in disappointment the last two seasons, but they have a roster better ready to contend. One more piece could compelte the puzzle.
