Position wise, the Toronto Raptors have immediate needs in the middle (none of the three PF's are adequate), at the point (same goes for Jose) and at the small forward slot ('nuff said). Here are three deals the Raptors should look at as we approach the 2010-2011 NBA Trade Deadline.
Trade 1: Leandro Barbosa and Joey Dorsey for Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll
Not the first time I've posted this. The Grizzlies have been aggressively shopping Thabeet and with the recent Rudy Gay injury, one would think OJ Mayo goes back to the starting role to shoulder some of Gay's scoring responsibilities. This would obviously open up a need for a bench scorer like Barbosa and help the Grizzlies make a playoff push in the always competitive Western Conference.
Trade 2: Jose Calderon for Marvin Williams
The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly in the market for another point guard to boost its chances of beating one of Boston, Miami or Orlando in the playoffs. Now there is speculation that they might target someone like Sessions, who is not being actively shopped, I believe a veteran play maker would help them in the playoffs more.
Enter Jose Calderon. There were rumours of the Hawks being interested in the Spanish play maker from as early as the summer of 2007 when he had his coming out party that drew comparisons to a young Steve Nash. However years went by, injuries happened, Bosh left and now suddenly looks like a average point guard in the NBA.
However that should be enough to help the Hawks in the playoffs. They don't have a true facilitator on the roster and him and Bibby would make a solid point guard rotation for Atlanta. Marvin Williams has been shopped by the Hawks and with Josh Smith getting more minutes at the 3, his role on the team has diminished.
The Raptors have a clear need at 3 and while Marvin Williams isn't going to save the franchise, he will have a fresh new start on a team with no added pressure where he wouldn't have to justify being picked second overall over the likes of Chris Paul, Deron Williams and many others. Ditto for Thabeet.
Now the trade would obviously leave the Raptors without a point. Which leads me to the third trade idea.
Trade 3: The Return Of TJ Ford
How ironic would be it if the Raptors went back to TJ Ford after deciding that Jose was the way to go after the 2007-08 season? The two were to be traded for one another this past summer as Toronto was involved in a four team trade rumour. TJ Ford has been on the trade block since last season and would likely require very little to reacquire his services from Indiana.
Reggie Evans and Julian Wright for the speedy point guard provides the Pacers with additional depth off the bench up front. Both of them being on expiring contracts is also a big plus.
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