A look at the latest out of Toronto as the Raptors enjoy some time off before Wednesday night’s game against the Bobcats..
- Whether coach Dwane Casey wants to admit it or not, the Raptors appear to be a better team without Rudy Gay, writes Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Sans Gay, Toronto has won three of four while garnering a third more assists per game. In Wolstat’s view, this current squad has a far better shot of competing for the Atlantic Division title than it did with Gay, who, on paper, was its premier singular talent.
- More from Wolstat, who opines that the Raptors have to get worse before they can get better. The Raptors have failed to land a superstar via free agency and will need to find a transcendent talent through the draft instead. When looking at recent NBA history, it’s clear that a team needs one (or more) top five picks to help lift them to the Finals. However, Wolstat doesn’t think they should make that happen by giving away assets.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star argues against trading Kyle Lowry or other desirable trade chips for draft picks since selections in 2017, ’18, or ’19 are far away and aren’t guaranteed to work out.