The Toronto Raptors had an interesting trade deadline which was a lesson in bad asset management. They made one transaction by trading Khem Birch, a protected first one draft pick and two second round draft picks for Jakob Poeltl. At first look, it does not seem to be a bad trade at all. And it isn’t. Poeltl is a center and a good rim protector. This is something that the team needs badly. However, it is the moves that did to make that has many in Raptor land scratching their heads. Why is this bad asset management?
Toronto Raptors Trade Deadline, Bad Asset Management
The Toronto Raptors have multiple players looking for huge pay raises in the next couple seasons. Fred Van Fleet and Gary Trent can opt out of their current contracts this summer and both are looking for new deals. It seems that Van Fleet will be looking for a deal starting in the $30 million to $35 million per year range. Gary Trent’s deal will be at least in the $20 million per year range. That is a lot to pay for two players who do not move the needle much for your team as the Raptors are currently in 10th place. Also, if you do not resign them, they can leave for nothing. It is true that you could do a sign and trade but they are not easy to do.
Also, you have OG Anunoby, you can opt out of his contract after next season. He will be looking at a significant raise as he is considered one of the best defensive wing players in the NBA and he can shoot the three point shot at a good percentage. His next contract will probably be in the $30 million per year range at least. Finally, you have Pascal Siakam who can be eligible for a max contract extension after next season. Is he worth potentially paying $50 million plus per year?
Finally, there is Poeltl, who you gave up draft picks for. He is a free agent this summer and he is looking for a new contract in the $20 million per year range. The reality is that you cannot pay everyone. If you do, you will be in salary cap agony for a long time and it will be hard improve. Teams go into the luxury tax if they feel that their team can compete for a title. The Raptors as currently constructed are no where near title contention.
There is Also Chemistry Issues
There have been reports of players on the Raptors not happy with their roles. Also, they seem to at times play selfishly and not as a team. Even Raptors’ President Masai Ujiri mentioned it in his press conference today. Does Jakob Poeltl help change that? Hopefully, a little bit as he is an unselfish player. However, this is a team that has most of their players playing for their next contract and not for each other. So do you keep the current core together and risk further hindering the development of your younger players? By not making any changes, they are taking a risk that this will continue to happen.
Conclusion
It seems that the Raptors tried to trade some of their players and tried to get younger players and 1st round draft picks in return. However, other teams know that the Raptors’ players will soon be free agents. As a result, they do not have to offer as much in a trade for the Raptors. As a result, the trade offers were underwhelming and the team stand pat. Unfortunately, the time to trade some of their players was this past summer or at last year’s trade deadline. They probably could have gotten some picks and young players and be in a better position financially. However, that is not to be and now the Raptors are going into an off season where they either have to overpay for three free agents or risk losing some or all of them for nothing. That is bad asset management. We will see what happens.
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