The Toronto Raptors is the team that could challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East but they are one piece away so they are still involved in NBA trade rumors.
The Raptors have an All-Star caliber backcourt (DeMar DeRozan is actually starting) and they have a capable center in Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll covers the small forward position well. The position they could not solve is power forward.
Good for the Raptors, there are quality power forwards rumored on the block but both of them comes with a heavy risk.
The Orlando Magic is reportedly willing to trade Serge Ibaka according to Jesse Biancarte of Basketball Insiders.
"The Magic could also move Ibaka if a solid deal presents itself, though Ibaka has the ability walk away for nothing as an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason. Additionally, Nikola Vucevic could be moved considering the fact that the Magic invested so heavily in Biyombo last offseason."
The Magic signed Biyombo as a free agent as the Raptors could not afford to keep him (as he didn't have Bird Rights yet). Now the Raptors could need to make a trade in order to get a defensive big man back.
Ibaka is actually a better fit for Toronto and he also has extensive playoff experience with the Oklahoma City Thunder. What's more, he could be a bargain deal because of his impending free agency.
Perhaps the only question here is whether the Raptors are confident enough to keep him in Toronto. A package of Terrence Ross and first round pick could be enough for the Magic. Still it's a risk for Toronto.
The same dilemma holds true for Paul Millsap. The Raptors have the luxury to get what they need if they're willing to roll the dice. Who should they trade for?
According to their starting small forward DeMarre Carroll, Millsap is the better choice. He shared his views on Sportsnet.
"Like I tell everybody, Paul is the most unselfish all-star you probably will ever find," said Carroll. "He's always been a team player. He always fills the stat sheets. If he wanted to he could go out and get 30 points and try and get up 20 shots a game but he always does whatever it takes to help the team win.
That's why so many teams want him right now. You can just plug him in. He's not going to be that selfish guy who's just trying to get numbers, he's going to do what it takes to try and win games and hopefully win a championship."
Perhaps this is why the Cavaliers, specifically LeBron James, are in such a fit. Either of these trades could make the Raptors a legitimate contender in the East. But as Carroll points out, Millsap could have the slight edge.