Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report believes they need to take that next step and that means making a deal before the trade deadline. The biggest need is an outside shooter, a player that can hit a three-pointer and open space for the other offensive weapons the team has on its roster.
The proposed deal would have Ryan Anderson from New Orleans heading north of the border, in exchange, Toronto would send Patrick Patterson, Delon Wright, and a 2017 second-round pick to the Pelicans. This move would give the Raptors one of the best shooting power forwards in the league and a player that can stretch the floor, something this team must add if they want to become a legitimate threat in the league.
New Orleans would get some much-needed depth in the front court and a draft pick it could use to add help at any position needing improvement heading into 2016.
While fans of both teams might balk at this proposal, a closer look at the numbers would indicate that a deal is necessary. Despite having one of the better records in the East, Toronto sits in the middle of the pack in three-point shots made and attempted and while just shooting more from long distance would improve those stats, adding a player that will actually make those shots is key to improvement.
Both of these franchises are looking to build a stronger foundation and making a trade now, allows both to build some momentum and team chemistry over the final months of the 2015-16 NBA season and for the Raptors, possibly the move that catapults them past Cleveland as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
