The Toronto Raptors have been one of the more intriguing stories of this NBA season. Sitting at 17-12 and holding down the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, they've already surpassed expectations for a team many assumed would be stuck in the middle of a rebuild.
Not long ago, they even climbed as high as the No. 2 spot in the East. But after a nine-game win streak that turned heads, the Raptors have stumbled a bit, dropping five of their last seven games.
The question now: Is this just a midseason slump, or a sign that they’re still a piece or two away from being a real contender in a wide-open conference?
One area that continues to hold this team back is 3-point shooting. In a league where the deep ball is king, Toronto ranks 26th in 3-point attempts per game at just 32.8.
That’s not going to cut it when you’re trying to keep pace with the offensive firepower in the East. The Raptors don’t necessarily have the cap flexibility to swing for the fences with a blockbuster deal, but there is a potential trade on the table that could quietly address a major need.
Proposed Trade:
- Raptors receive: Moses Moody, two second-round picks
- Warriors receive: Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick
This is the kind of move that doesn’t dominate headlines but could pay serious dividends. Moody brings something the Raptors desperately need: reliable perimeter shooting.
He’s averaging six 3-point attempts per game and connecting on 37.7% of them - a solid mark that would immediately make him one of the Raptors’ more consistent threats from outside. But it’s not just about the shooting.
Moody also brings size, defensive versatility, and a willingness to play within a system - all qualities that fit Toronto’s identity.
The Raptors have built their success this season around length, defense, and unselfish playmaking. They rank third in the league in assists per game at 29.6, showing a level of ball movement that’s been fun to watch.
But good passing only goes so far if the open looks aren’t falling. Adding a player like Moody, who can space the floor and keep defenses honest, could unlock another level for this offense.
Toronto’s top six has been carrying the load so far. RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley are combining for 76.7 points per game - a strong core that gives the Raptors multiple scoring options and playmakers.
Jakob Poeltl continues to be a steady presence in the paint, anchoring the defense and cleaning the glass, while Sandro Mamukelashvili has emerged as a valuable contributor off the bench. The offense flows well when he’s on the floor, especially in second-unit minutes.
But beyond that top six, the depth gets shaky. Outside of Jamal Shead, the bench hasn’t offered much consistency.
Recent draft picks like Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobi Walter were brought in with hopes they’d develop into reliable 3-and-D players, but the returns so far have been underwhelming. Agbaji is shooting just 17.2% from deep, and Dick hasn’t fared much better at 32.1%.
Collin Murray-Boyles has shown promise as a rookie, but the Raptors may be ready to move on from some of these young pieces in favor of a player who can help right now.
Moody isn’t a star, but he’s a plug-and-play role player who fits the Raptors’ system and timeline. With injuries to stars like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton shaking up the East, the door is open for a team like Toronto to make a deeper playoff push than expected. A move like this could be the margin-shifter they need.
From Golden State’s perspective, this is about reshuffling the deck. Moody was drafted in the lottery back in 2021 alongside Jonathan Kuminga, with the hope that they’d bridge the gap between the Warriors’ aging core and the next generation. While both players earned championship rings, neither has fully broken out, and Moody has often found himself buried in the rotation.
Now, the Warriors are in a tough spot. They’re older, banged up, and trying to squeeze one more title run out of the Stephen Curry-Draymond Green-Jimmy Butler window. Moody recently signed an extension, but if the front office believes he’s not going to be part of the long-term core, flipping him for two recent first-rounders could be a smart play.
Agbaji and Dick may not be starting-caliber players at this point, but they’re still young, with upside, and could benefit from the Warriors’ player development system. Playing alongside Curry and Green - two of the best at creating offense for others - could help unlock their potential in ways that haven’t happened yet in Toronto.
This isn’t the kind of trade that shifts the league’s balance of power, but it’s the kind of move that makes sense for both sides. For the Raptors, it’s about seizing a rare opportunity in an unpredictable Eastern Conference. For the Warriors, it’s about retooling on the fly while keeping the window cracked open for one last run.