The trade deadline is approaching, and the air in Toronto feels like a damp basement. People are currently shouting into the void of the internet about Jakob Poeltl, as if he is the reason the transit system is unreliable. He is a tall Austrian man who plays basketball in a very specific, rectangular way.
Some fans want to trade him for Domantas Sabonis, which is an interesting choice. Sabonis is nearly thirty years old, costs more money, and has health issues that remind me of my old 2004 Honda Civic. Trading picks in a deep draft for a more expensive version of the same problem feels like something I would do while grocery shopping on an empty stomach.
The Art of Doing Nothing
There is a distinct possibility that the front office does actually nothing at all. Imagine the trade deadline passes, the clock hits zero, and we still have the exact same roster. It would be funny, in a way that isn't really a joke. We might just trade someone small to duck the luxury tax, because money is real and championship aspirations are currently abstract.
We often see fans screaming for Bobby Webster to get on the phone. They assume there is a magical deal waiting on the other end of the line, like a prize from a radio contest. The reality is that many players do not want to come here. It is cold, the taxes are complicated, and the cell phone data plans are a tragedy.
Memphis Is Having a Moment
The news out of Memphis is that the Grizzlies might be ready to move on from Ja Morant. Apparently, they want to rebuild around Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. That is a very tall and very specific pivot. It sounds like a plan devised by someone who only watches basketball through a kaleidoscope.
If Ja Morant is available at a lower price, the temptation to call is there. However, the Raptors have a history of questionable moves over the last few years that make me cautious. I remember Rasho Nesterovic. He was reliable. He didn't jump high, but he was always there, like a sturdy floor lamp.
Finding a Backup
The real issue is that we need a backup center. We are panicking about Poeltl because when he sits down, the team suddenly looks like five people trying to find their car in a crowded parking lot. We do not need a superstar. We just need someone who can stand in the paint and exist.
Maybe we should focus on the small things. The draft is deep, and the future is a long time from now. If we don't make a trade, we can all just go home and watch old highlights of Jose Calderon. He never missed a free throw, and he never made us feel this way. Change is coming, or it isn't. Either way, the weather remains grey.