Toronto has been linked to signing players like Jeremy Lin and Steve Nash in free agency, but it doesn't seem all that likely at this point.
However, there's a possibility they can acquire players via trades. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Raptors are going to be very aggressive this off-season on finding a star player to trade for.
They look to package their eighth pick in the NBA Draft to pair with a package featuring Ed Davis, along with Jose Calderon and/or Andrea Bagnani to possibly go after guys like Rudy Gay or Andre Iguodala.
And that's why the Raptors have already made it known to rival teams that their lottery pick on June 28 -- No. 8 overall -- is available to a trade partner that can provide the elite small forward they seek, according to sources close to the situation.
With a slew of league execs having converged on Chicago this week for the NBA's annual pre-draft camp, sources told ESPN.com that the Raptors have at least two known trade targets: Memphis swingman Rudy Gay and Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala.
I think such a package the Raptors could be offering could definitely entice a team like the New York Knicks. Fellow NBA blogger Quentin Haynes wrote on Twitter an interesting trade idea if the Raptors make this package offer:
That seems like a very good deal for the Knicks, as they don't have any more drama between Carmelo Anthony and STAT, who both always need the ball. Stoudemire can be on his own in Toronto, where he ALWAYS will get the ball. Meanwhile, the Knicks have more pieces to help their core of Lin, Melo, Tyson Chandler, Landry Fields, JR Smith and Steve Novak.
The Lakers can also be involved in such a trade as well, as they can give away Pau Gasol. Gasol will be the main focus of the Raptors offense that can really use him as well. Meanwhile, Los Angeles gets a lottery pick that they can possibly use a guy like Perry Jones III on. They also get a young guy to replace Gasol in Ed Davis along with a sharpshooter in Bargnani. If not Bargnani, then a solid, starting point guard in Calderon.
If the Raptors are really looking to do such a deal like this, they are really looking to make it known. A lot of teams would be interested in this package, and I wouldn't be surprised if a deal goes down with it.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter @joshdhani.
With a slew of league execs having converged on Chicago this week for the NBA's annual pre-draft camp, sources told ESPN.com that the Raptors have at least two known trade targets: Memphis swingman Rudy Gay and Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala.
I think such a package the Raptors could be offering could definitely entice a team like the New York Knicks. Fellow NBA blogger Quentin Haynes wrote on Twitter an interesting trade idea if the Raptors make this package offer:
Shoot, I'd do Ed Davis and the 8th for Amare. Throw in Calderon and you got highway robbery.
— Haynes, Quentin (@Quentin317) June 6, 2012
That seems like a very good deal for the Knicks, as they don't have any more drama between Carmelo Anthony and STAT, who both always need the ball. Stoudemire can be on his own in Toronto, where he ALWAYS will get the ball. Meanwhile, the Knicks have more pieces to help their core of Lin, Melo, Tyson Chandler, Landry Fields, JR Smith and Steve Novak.
The Lakers can also be involved in such a trade as well, as they can give away Pau Gasol. Gasol will be the main focus of the Raptors offense that can really use him as well. Meanwhile, Los Angeles gets a lottery pick that they can possibly use a guy like Perry Jones III on. They also get a young guy to replace Gasol in Ed Davis along with a sharpshooter in Bargnani. If not Bargnani, then a solid, starting point guard in Calderon.
If the Raptors are really looking to do such a deal like this, they are really looking to make it known. A lot of teams would be interested in this package, and I wouldn't be surprised if a deal goes down with it.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter @joshdhani.
