Zach Randolph (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
At the quarter mark of the NBA 2015-16 season teams have quite a clear vision of their position in the season.
While it's too early to decide which teams can make the playoffs or not, there are some clear hints of what a team needs to change. Hence, more trade possibilities are being explored.
The Toronto Raptors are one team that looks to make a playoff push, but they have a void at the power forward spot and starting center Jonas Valanciunas is injured. As their site Raptors Rapture pointed out, they need better options at the power forward spot.
"The Raptors are in a difficult spot at the moment," Raptors Rapture explained. "A player they had counted on, Terrence Ross, has not come through, and 2-Pat is only now rounding into form. Jonas Valanciunas is weeks away from returning to the court, which has punched a hole in our scoring, and compelled too many shots from DeRozan and Lowry."
In short, the Raptors are struggling and they might need to make a change lest they sink into the suddenly competitive Eastern Conference.
The Memphis Grizzlies may have recovered from their early-season slump but one thing they learned is that they may need to start moving away or at least revising the "grit and grind." Perhaps more than anyone, Zach Randolph is the personification of that tough style.
According to site Cheat Sheet, Randolph is one of the "big name" players to possibly be moved this season.
Considering the Toronto Raptors problems, Randolph, who is still an effective inside scorer and rebounder, could be a viable option. In the Raptors Real GM thread, a deal of Z-Bo to Toronto was proposed.
Raptors will send Terrence Ross, Bismack Biyombo and Patrick Patterson to the Memphis Grizzlies while Zach Randolph and Courtney Lee move up the border to Toronto.
Ross is having a bad season, but he may benefit from a change of environment. Playing behind DeMar DeRozan could be taking its toll on him. But Ross still has value to other teams and Memphis needs a scorer. Also, this is their chance to trade Z-Bo before his value recedes. Patterson and Biyombo are back-ups, but they can opt to start Jeff Green for a more fluid offense.
For the Raptors, it is also their chance to dispose of Ross who has the ire of their fanbase and a player they don't really need. Also, while Randolph is already 34, they could use his toughness and playoff experience-something they might need against teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers or Atlanta Hawks.
Randolph may be a short-term solution but in this proposed trade, the Raptors are not giving up players they actually want to keep.
