After falling to the Los Angeles Clippers in a 121-17 overtime thriller, the Toronto Raptors find themselves 25-18 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. While they have found far more success than in recent years (missed the playoffs for the last three consecutive seasons), it’s games like Friday night that show the Raptors are not quite ready to compete late in games against the league’s best. 

The Los Angeles Clippers are far from the league’s best, especially without six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard, as they were in Toronto. However, 11-time All-Star James Harden showed out in the fourth quarter and overtime, further showing what it looks like to have a player who has seen big-time moments before. 

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden

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If the Raptors want to have a chance to compete deep into the playoffs in a wide-open Eastern Conference, they may need to make a trade to solidify their closing lineup. 

With the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaching, the Raptors should reach out to the Memphis Grizzlies to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.

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The Grizzlies are in a rough position both in the standings and with their team chemistry. Rumors continue to swirl about the necessary departure of star point guard Ja Morant, and with a 17-23 record in a loaded Western Conference, it’s time for Memphis to finally blow it up. 

The process started this offseason when the Grizzlies traded away Desmond Bane for four first-round picks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. It wouldn’t be outlandish for Memphis to search for more young pieces and draft compensation for their remaining two stars in Morant and Jackson Jr. Fortunately for the Raptors, they are plentiful in both aspects. Taking it a step further, Toronto’s picks should be considered valuable at this point, since they have yet to prove themselves in the playoffs or even late in the regular season.

With the Grizzlies’ stars having low stock at the moment, the Raptors may be able to pull off a trade centered around Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, and a first-round pick or two. This could be expensive for a player who also has never made a deep playoff run, but for a 26-year-old Defensive Player of the Year candidate, it would be worth it. The Raptors already have one of the best overall defenses in the league (eighth in defensive rating), but one thing they are missing is a true anchor in the middle to solidify the defense. 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.

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With the emergence of second-year guard Jamal Shead as a true facilitator for a star-studded offense, Toronto should feel comfortable losing Quickley, especially if it can obtain one of Memphis’ backup guards in the trade. Trade rumors have not been mutually exclusive of the Raptors, and Quickley’s name has been brought up frequently along with RJ Barrett. However, being that Toronto’s record when Barrett is active is 15-3 in his last 18 games, it seems evident that he will be a Raptor for at least the remainder of the season.