The Rap-Up: Trade season has begun

Trade season has unofficially kicked off. Will the Raptors be in the mix for any trades?

December 15th is an exciting date for fake trade junkies like myself. The day marks the unofficial start of trade season, as players who signed with their respective teams during the offseason would now be trade-eligible. With 85 additional players now available to be swapped — or almost 19% of the league — rumour mills will be working overtime between now and the February 6th trade deadline.

Only two players became trade-eligible for the Raptors: Bruno Fernando, whose contract isn’t guaranteed until January 10th, and Garrett Temple. In other words, not much will change for Toronto’s trade pursuits. The same trade parameters exist today as they did during the offseason.

While Bruce Brown would appear to be Toronto’s greatest trade chip — two seasons removed from starting on a championship team PLUS an expiring $23 million contract — Raptor fans may need to temper expectations on Brown’s market. He hasn’t played yet this season after having knee surgery (the same knee injury that hobbled him last year). It makes sense that Toronto would not rush to bring him back until he’s 100% healthy.

Toronto’s biggest ace in the hole may be its largest player, Jakob Poeltl. As much as Masai Ujiri is likely calling other teams and shopping Brown, just as many teams are asking Ujiri about Big Jak’s services. If Poeltl were to be moved, the asking price would be over the top. This is hypothetical, of course, but it could result in Toronto’s boldest attempt at accelerating the rebuild.

December 16 vs Chicago Bulls

Another team that will constantly appear in trade rumours are the Chicago Bulls. If you think moving Bruce Brown will be difficult (44 games played total over the last two seasons; $23 million salary this season), imagine how quickly other GMs hang up the phone on discussions around Zach Lavine (46 games played total over the last two seasons; $45 million salary this season).

Similar to the Raptors, it may not be the starting Guard but the starting Center that can bring back the greater return.

Nikola Vucevic is having a dream season — for himself AND the Bulls front office fielding trade offers. The 14-year veteran is having an All-Star-calibre season, averaging 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds on a blistering 58.7/47.4/85.2 shooting clip. He ranks in the top 10 in 2-point AND 3-point shooting percentage. With “only” $41 million on his contract this season and next, Vooch should be one of the most sought-after players in the market.

Fun fact that may only interest me

Vucevic’s height and 3-point shooting have vaulted him into elite company.

Only 5 other players, 6’10 or taller, in NBA history have shot over 45% from three (at least 3 attempts per game):

• Kevin Durant: 45.0% in ‘20-’21
• Steve Novak: 47.2% in ‘11-’12
• Troy Murphy: 45.0 in ‘08-’09
• Nikola Jokic: 51.2% (LOL) this season
• Matt Bonner: 45.7% in ‘10-’11

Prediction

Only one team has drained more three-pointers than the Bulls this season (Boston, of course). This matchup could have been a good test for Toronto’s 3-point defense (9th in opponents’ 3-point accuracy), but, alas, the Raptors are doomed to be eternally shorthanded this season. Toronto will still be without Brown, Immanuel Quickley, and Scottie Barnes. Chicago, a surprising 7-6 on the road, covers the -1.5 spread.

December 19 vs Brooklyn Nets

While Toronto and Chicago figure to be in trade rumours, the Brooklyn Nets are in trade transactions. They kicked off trade season by sending former Raptor, Dennis Schroder, plus Miami’s 2025 second-round pick to the Golden State Warriors for De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and 3 second-round picks (Atlanta’s 2026 & 2028; Golden State’s 2029).

The Nets figure to be involved in more trades. After shipping Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks last Summer, Brooklyn received a smorgasbord of picks — unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031; top-4-protected first-round pick from Milwaukee in 2025; a second-round pick in 2025; an unprotected pick swap in 2028; and a partridge in a pear tree (reportedly). That trade officially shifted Brooklyn’s trajectory into teardown and rebuild mode.

However, something funny happened along the way to mediocrity. Jordi Fernandez happened!

As Canadian basketball fans know all too well, Fernandez has a knack for getting the best out of his troops and producing winning results. At 10-15, the Nets are currently in a play-in position with one of the best 3-point offenses in the league. Can Jordi continue getting victories as the front office trades away his best players?

Fun fact that may only interest me

The Nets have won 4 of the last 5 meetings against the Raptors. The aggregate point differential is +1 for Toronto.

The Nets have won 7 of the last 10 meetings against the Raptors. The aggregate point differential is +10.

When Toronto beats Brooklyn, the win big!

Prediction

If this game took place in March, we’d probably see lineups more suitable for the G League. As it stands, both teams are “only” missing 3 presumed starters on each side (Barnes, Quickley and Brown for Toronto; Cam Thomas, Bojan Bogdanovic, and the now-traded Schroder).

Similar to the matchup with Chicago, the Raptors will be facing a very good 3-point offense and an opponent who may challenge them in the draft lottery. Brooklyn’s brutal halfcourt AND transition defense should result in Toronto covering the -4.5 spread.

December 22 vs Houston Rockets

From two of the worst defenses to one of the best! After missing the playoffs for 4 seasons, the Houston Rockets are primed to not only make a triumphant return to the postseason, but set up to do some damage while there.

Houston has the #2 defense in the league. They’re top-3 in a plethora of defensive categories: field goals made, field goal percentage, 3-point field goals made & attempted, 2-point field goal percentage, and assists.

Leading the charge for Houston is Tari Eason. He leads the NBA in steals per 100 possessions, steal percentage, defensive rating, and defensive box plus/minus. Tari should receive serious consideration for Defensive Player of the Year if he keeps this up.

On the offensive end, the Rockets rank 1st in field goal attempts, offensive rebounds, and total rebounds. Ime Udoka has a solid 7-man rotation with Amen Thompson & Eason (aka the Terror Twins) wreaking havoc off the bench while the starters — Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith, and Alperen Sengun — are a versatile group on both ends of the floor. It also helps that they’ve been blessed with health!

Fun fact that may only interest me

The Rockets have FIVE players in the top 10 in defensive win shares:

• Sengun — 3rd
• Thompson — 6th
• Eason — 7th
• VanVleet — 9th
• Green — 10th

Jabari just missed out, ranking 16th. His 1.3 defensive win shares are already higher than any Raptor this season and all but two Raptors last season (over all 82 games, mind you)!

Six elite defenders. I didn’t even list Brooks or Steven Adams. What a terrifying defense.

Prediction

Teams that have similar turnarounds like the Rockets — from perennial lottery team to cream of the crop — typically experience a fallback during the process. Look no further than last year’s Oklahoma City Thunder. They finished first in the West but failed to reach the Western Conference finals.

This squad may be different though. While OKC was filled with young and inexperienced players, the Rockets strike a fine balance of seasoned veterans, rising superstars, and a top-tier head coach.

Whether or not they’re able to make noise in the playoffs, Houston will definitely make their presence felt inside Scotiabank Arena. The Rockets cover the -10.5 spread.

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Last Week’s Record: 0-2

Season Record: 11-15