The Toronto Raptors’ 2023-24 NBA season proved to be a rebuilding year. After being hesitant to rebuild in recent seasons, Toronto ultimately accepted their position as a team that needed to restructure its squad.
The Raptors traded their two best players, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, during the season. Anunoby was dealt to the New York Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the franchise’s two main building elements.
Siakam was dealt to the Indiana Pacers in a move mostly for draft compensation. Toronto gained three first-round picks in the transaction, as well as Bruce Brown, who might be traded for further assets during the NBA offseason.
The Raptors can begin laying the groundwork for their new core around Scottie Barnes now that Barrett has signed a long-term contract and Quickley is set to do likewise this offseason. It will be fascinating to watch how they approach this, considering the Raptors might be back in contention for a position in the NBA Play-In Tournament by next season.
If they want to put some of their chips in the center and make acquisitions as buyers, an opportunity may arise. According to Shervon Fakhimi of Clutch Points, Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls is one player who could be available at a low cost for the Raptors to pursue.
Given LaVine’s salary and injury history, the Bulls will not be able to acquire much in return for him. However, he might be transferred in a cap-clearing transaction, since Chicago requires a rebuild similar to what Toronto is going through.
While LaVine and Quickley have similar qualities, LaVine is a two-time All-Star with several seasons of peak remaining. He also provides much-needed offensive firepower for Toronto, which finished near the bottom of the NBA in several categories this season.
“This season, the Raptors are 27th in the NBA in terms of three-point shooting. A year ago, they were rated 28th in that area. “Toronto ranks 24th in the NBA in offensive rating, owing to their inability to space the floor and connect from deep,” writes Fakhimi.
Some financial relief and a lottery selection could be enough to persuade LaVine to leave Chicago. That’s a price the Raptors can afford, but should they? It’ll be intriguing.
