We’ve taken a long break from looking too closely at potential Raptors trades or even really the performance of the team, because Toronto has been so riddled with injury it was hard to learn much from the depleted roster or plan ahead in terms of what to do to change it. But the team is finally looking like they are getting healthy, and if Fred VanVleet returns somewhat soon we may get a couple of weeks of the team playing at full strength to really determine what direction to go with any trades at the deadline.
Whatever direction that proves to be — whether Masai Ujiri and the Raptors look to add a role player, sell off some excess role players of their own, or consolidate pieces in a bigger trade for a top talent — in any of those cases, it is best to understand the Raptors’ salary cap situation this season, next season, and even the season after that.