On the surface, the Toronto Raptors are doing just fine. They're a half-game behind the New York Knicks for third place and two games behind the Boston Celtics for second place in the Eastern Conference with 38 contests left in the regular season.

However, being fourth in the East is like being a Play-In team in the West. The Raptors have a .568 winning percentage, while the Phoenix Suns (.605) are seventh in the West and the Golden State Warriors (.558) are eighth.

Toronto needs another star to be a true championship contender, but it can't afford one right now without salary matching in a trade. The team is currently $953,000 under the first apron and $12.8 million under the second. Teams that go over the second apron are prevented from using mid-level exceptions, trading first-round picks from seven years out, and a host of other roster-building privileges. 

Moving off of veteran point guard Immanuel Quickley's contract would create the long-term cap space the Raptors need to add another star alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Quickley is making $32.5 million each season from now through 2029.

The latter player is productive, but he has one of the NBA's worst contracts. The 26-year-old is averaging 16.3 points on 42.4 percent shooting (34.6 3-point) with 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists over 32.4 minutes.

Conversely, Houston Rockets star center Alperen Sengun has a $37 million average annual salary on his rookie extension, and he's averaging 21.6 points on 51 percent (29.6 percent 3-point) with 9.2 boards, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and one block over 34.2 minutes. The 23-year-old is a franchise cornerstone, while Quickley is a role player.

If Toronto attaches draft capital to Quickley in a trade, it could convince another team to absorb the contract.

It might be difficult to flip Quickley and land a star in the same trade, as Quickley's contract is a negative asset. Toronto could pull that off in a multi-team trade, but it could also dump the former New York Knick's salary as a precursor to acquiring a star.

Enter the Los Angeles Clippers. Here's a deal that makes sense for both sides:

Raptors get:

F John Collins

G Kris Dunn

G Chris Paul

Clippers get:

G Immanuel Quickley

2026 first-round pick

2029 first-round pick

Collins and Paul both have expiring contracts, which would help clear the Raptors' books after this season. Furthermore, Dunn is earning just $5.4 million this season and $5.6 million next year, before his contract expires.

On the other side, Los Angeles would get much-needed draft capital after giving its 2026 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade in 2019. It would also move on from Paul after sending him home weeks ago, putting an end to the drama. 

This would give the Raptors the long-term space to acquire another star player either before the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline or next offseason.