Despite their strong start, the Toronto Raptors still need help in the frontcourt. Eric Smith of Sportsnet.ca believes the Raptors should try to trade for a player such as Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried or Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe.
Toronto is 24-10 and looks playoff-bound, but that doesn't mean the front office will be quiet ahead of the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
"If (general manager) Masai Ujiri and his management team are seeking out a deal, I think they'll be looking at their frontcourt specifically," Smith wrote Wednesday. "... If I were in Ujiri's shoes, I'd be looking at teams outside of the playoff picture. Are those clubs looking to auction off assets? Denver's Kenneth Faried was mentioned above by one reader, and the Nuggets are a team worth talking to. ...
"Other names from non-playoff teams that could fill the gap in Toronto's lineup: Kyle O'Quinn (Orlando), Reggie Evans (Sacramento), Rudy Gobert (Utah) and Greg Monroe (Detroit)."
Two names in particular stand out: Faried and Monroe. Faried sign a contract extension this year, but at least one report in the past indicated Denver's front office would be willing to trade the power forward. The problem, though, is finding a team willing to give up assets and pay him $12.5 million each season until 2019.
Monroe is also an intriguing name. After purportedly rebuffing multiple sign-and-trade offers for Monroe this summer, and with all signs pointing to Monroe leaving Detroit as an unrestricted free agent this summer, Detroit is now likely trying to find a trade deal for Monroe so they can at least get something for him. The catch is Monroe in on a one-year qualifying offer that allows him to veto any trade - if Detroit wants to move him, Monroe has to agree.
