Will Raptors go all-in at NBA trade deadline with the East wide open?

Trae Young is on the trade block, though any talk of this dynamic, ball-dominant point guard joining forces with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes in Toronto seem extremely improbable.

On Jan. 15, Jonathan Kuminga, who resides in Steve Kerr’s dog house, becomes eligible to be traded.

Some of the NBA’s biggest of big boys — namely Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis — continue to be bandied about in speculative trade scenarios, a few that make sense on some levels, others best described as nonsense.

The perpetually confounding Sacramento Kings boast at least two players in Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis who have been rumored to be on the move.

Sabonis, for those who haven’t followed the wretched Kings, continues to be sidelined with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee.

“I think that there’s been trade talks with a lot of teams,” LaVine told reporters. “I don’t think I worry about that.

“I think that’s your guys’ job to try to put some storylines out there. You can run with them.”

LaVine is an above-average player whose ability to create his own shot makes him unique.

Nailing jumpers is his thing, but he did hit the nail on the head when he referenced “your guys’ job,” meaning the media.

Difficulties Of Deal Making

Putting player X with team Z has been a daily exercise in the NBA with so many outlets providing coverage, so many seeking attention — but trades are not easy.

In fact, they are quite difficult knowing the different aprons virtually prohibit teams from spending excessively.

The NBA is not Major League Baseball, which operates on a playing field that features the haves and the have-nots, a financial dichotomy many believe will lead to some kind of work stoppage.

When the Raptors acquired Ingram from New Orleans last season, the deal was pretty cut and dried with two players — Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown — and two draft picks going to the Pelicans.

Almost immediately, the Raptors and Ingram’s representatives agreed to a three-year deal worth US $120 million.

He has been a driving force this season along with Barnes as the Raptors hit the road for a two-day trip sporting a 22-15 record following a 4-1 homestand that was capped off by two straight wins over the Hawks.

Whether it’s a team such as Atlanta, the Washington Wizards or any losing team or a franchise in transition, the need for change is pretty obvious.

Coveted Expiring Contracts

Expiring contracts are very coveted and both the Hawks and Wizards possess that allure.

Luke Kennard, for example, is a very good — at times elite — spot-up shooter from distance that joined Atlanta this past off-season on a one-year deal.

We’re not saying that Kennard is being pursued by the Raptors, but his profile fits perfectly what Toronto requires.

Ditto for someone such as Kristaps Porzingis, despite his injury history.

The Hawks acquired this floor-spacing big from Boston, but his contract expires this summer.

We’re also not saying Porzingis is coveted by the Raptors, but his skill set would complement both Ingram and Barnes.

Teams trade money for money, bad contracts for bad contracts, malcontent players for disgruntled ones — it goes on and on and will forever go on and on in this financial landscape.

The NBA’s trade deadline clock can be heard ticking with teams mulling all sorts of options and possibilities as Feb. 5 approaches.

If this Raptors season, which may or may not be sustained, has proven anything it’s that help for Ingram and Barnes is necessary.

The East is there for the taking, if the Raptors are willing to take that step.

Their next two games are against Charlotte and Boston, both of which have beaten Toronto twice.

Big Bucks For RJ?

A healthy Jakob Poeltl would be welcomed, but anyone willing to say with certainty how long his wonky back will last is only fooling themselves.

No one knows if the franchise is willing to dole out the big bucks to extend RJ Barrett.

Everyone by now should know an upgrade at point guard is necessary and that Immanuel Quickley is not the answer, even though the franchise did dig deep into its wallet to extend him.

Some interesting young pieces coming off the bench present opportunities, but the over-arching question is what lengths are the Raptors prepared to this team to the next level?

If nothing is done, the Raptors risk wasting what Ingram and Barnes have been able to produce.

The NBA’s mid-way point to its season awaits, but the bigger date arrives early next month.

Time is ticking, money always matters, but it’s incumbent on the Raptors to pursue all trade options.

It was sheer lunacy and a clear sign of desperation when Mo Bamba was acquired — and then released on Tuesday — the very epitome of a lottery bust.

It defied logic why so many wasted so much time breaking down his game and the team’s commitment to this stiff.

The time has come for the Raptors to make a move as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches.

Size and shooting remain the team’s biggest areas that need to be upgraded.

What remains unknown and what likely will go unanswered is whether the Raptors are truly willing to push the financial envelope.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com