Trade ideas to excise the bad juju from the Raptors

Fifty-nine wins and the No. 1 seed. The Toronto Raptors just finished their best season in franchise history. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan put together All-Star campaigns, with the latter enjoying his best season to date. Their bench mob was tops in the league. Dwane Casey won coach of the year. Things were grand north of the border.

This all should have amounted to booking their tickets for the Eastern Finals. In theory, they should have been the favorites to champion the conference. In theory perhaps.

Unfortunately for them, they exist on the same spatial plane as LeBron James and stood before him on his playoff warpath. They didn’t just lose, their wills were broken. Getting blown away in Game 4 of a semi-finals sweep evidenced that.

Now, they’re the latest on the long list of teams LeBron laid waste to in his career. It’s probably safe to bury this version of the Raptors. Perhaps they wait to see where LeBron decides to take his talents before doing anything drastic. Perhaps they shake it up because perpetually coming up short can turn a team browbeaten. Regardless, this group beckons for remodeling.

Fake Trade Idea No. 1: Z-Bo makes everything better

What the Raptors need more than anything are mental fortitude and unflappable attitude. Zach Randolph, though closing in on his career twilight, still carries those in droves. Toronto also lacks a rim-protecting roll-man and that’s what Willie Cauley-Stein brings to the table. The Kings always seem to be in the market for a traditional center. Jonas Valanciunas could fill the void the freshly-cut Georgios Papagiannis left.

Fake Trade Idea No. 2: Bring Maple Jordan home

It’s clear Andrew Wiggins isn’t the right fit in Minnesota. However, his massive extension kicks in after the season. Luckily, Toronto also has a ton of ominous contracts on their books. It’s time to make things right and tap into the full potential of Maple Jordan.

Fake Trade Idea No. 3: The double-down

If Toronto is truly committed to winning with their current core, Blake Griffin adds a little more star power to their collection. While Griffin’s been noticeably unhappy in Detroit, maybe not having to travel to attend the Toronto Comedy Festival and the city’s lively improv scene will lift his morale.

Now that Stan Van Gundy’s been let go, the Pistons can start undoing his front-office sins.

Next: Change is coming for the NBA Playoffs’ first-round losers

Fake Trade Idea No. 4: Pure bedlam

I want this trade to happen most, only for the fire and chaos NBA Twitter would melt into. This would be a straight tear down and I can’t feasibly see Toronto ever doing this. But, hey, if you can’t beat ‘em…