The Toronto Raptors have been one of the NBA’s biggest surprises this season, and in a wide-open Eastern Conference, a splash move at the trade deadline could propel them to the NBA Finals.
When Toronto went all in and acquired Kawhi Leonard before the 2018-19 season (likely knowing he wasn’t going to resign in free agency), the gamble resulted in the franchise’s first and only NBA title. This year, in a new trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Raptors are poised to take a big swing at another mercurial superstar: James Harden.
Bringing “The Beard” north of the border wouldn’t be cheap for Toronto, but the 11-time All-Star could provide a huge offensive boost. Here’s the full trade proposal:
- Raptors receive: G James Harden
- Clippers receive: F RJ Barrett, G Ochai Agbaji, G Jamal Shead, 2026 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
Does either side say yes to this deal? Do both teams say no? Let’s see it through and find out:
Why Toronto Raptors Make This Trade
While giving up a native Canadian in RJ Barrett would hurt, he’s currently stuck in a trio of wings that have more success off the ball. Brandon Ingram was acquired at the trade deadline last season and signed to an extension in the offseason, and Scottie Barnes has the largest contract on the team this season at $38.7 million.
The Raptors need an elite scorer who can handle the ball, and a trade is more likely to get done with Barrett’s contract situation involved ($27.7 million this year and $29.6 million next year). While Harden is not the 2017-18 MVP anymore, he is still having a fine offensive season, averaging 26 points and 8.1 assists (which would both lead Toronto) while shooting 44% from the field and 37.6% from three.
As much as he’s known for his postseason failures, Harden is a playoff-tested veteran that a young Raptors team could benefit from. He has a player option for next year and there’s a great chance he doesn’t return, but that kind of situation worked out well for Toronto in the past.
Why Los Angeles Clippers Make This Trade
The Clippers have been an unmitigated disaster this season, to say the least. After a dreadful start to the season, Los Angeles is 6-20 and in 14th in the Western Conference. The core of Harden, Leonard and Bradley Beal has just not worked, and the Clippers have to look at getting younger and building for the future.
Barrett, Agbaji, and Shead, who are all 25 or younger, would certainly help them do that. Not to mention, acquiring a first-round pick would allow the Clippers to feel a little better about their own selection going to the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, next year. In a draft class expected to be one of the strongest in recent memory, Los Angeles could pick up a young superstar to become the new focal point of its offense.
Aging superstars with big contracts like Harden’s ($39.1 million this season) don’t often get traded at the deadline, but if the Raptors front office is feeling the pressure, they would be a good partner for the Clippers.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Raptors Add Superstar Guard In Latest Trade Proposal appeared first on Heavy Sports.