After three terrific seasons of success, making the playoffs next year is likely — but experts believe this franchise needs another scoring option to have any hopes of winning a championship. Luckily, a number of quality players are apparently on the trading block and speculation has the front office looking to add some help in the front court.
Several reports have surfaced this week on Blake Griffin possibly making the move north. The 27-year-old, when healthy, is one of the most dynamic players in the game. His style of play would bring another 20+ points-per-game scorer to the team, but more importantly, someone who can grab some rebounds and help defensively in the paint.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report has suggested a blockbuster deal involving four different teams. Griffin and Kosta Koufas would head to Toronto. The LA Clippers would receive Rudy Gay, Jeremy Lamb, Norman Powell, and Cody Zeller. Charlotte would land Jonas Valanciunas and Patrick Patterson. Sacramento would get Spencer Hawes, Paul Pierce, Delon Wright, and a first round pick in next years NBA Draft.
While deals like this don’t happen often, in its whole it makes sense for each franchise as they look to upgrade weaknesses and in some cases, look to become contenders in their respective conference.
The Raptors would lose two key pieces to their recent success, but it would be an upgrade in the paint for the team and put them on par with Cleveland as the best team on paper in the Eastern Conference and a dark horse in 2017 to win a championship, something this franchise has yet to attain in its history.
