While some pundits still believe the Raptors might target future assets at the deadline, that’s clearly not the plan, according to Bruce Arthur of The Toronto Star, who argues that the team should prioritize upgrading its roster and securing its spot among the Eastern Conference contenders.
Before the Raptors make any roster changes, it would benefit the front office to see the team’s full roster in action, something that hasn’t happened much this season. Currently, four of Toronto’s top six players in minutes per game – Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Norman Powell, and Fred VanVleet – are sidelined, but the club may begin to clear its injured list soon.
Siakam, Gasol, and Powell all took part in practice on Friday on a limited basis, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski hears that there’s hope Siakam could be back in the lineup within the next week or so. A Sunday return would be a bit ambitious for Siakam or Gasol, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said today, but Powell is on track to be back on Sunday (Twitter link via Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca).
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Danilo Gallinari is among the potential trade targets the Celtics have monitored, a source tells Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Pincus lays out how Boston could acquire a player like Gallinari or Andre Drummond, but since it would almost certainly involve moving Gordon Hayward or a package headed by Marcus Smart, I’m skeptical the C’s will seriously pursue either player.
- The Sixers were victorious on Thursday in the first game of what could be a multi-week absence for Joel Embiid, but Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports argues the team should still be worried about not having its star center active. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Bobby Marks point out (via Twitter) that Norvel Pelle only has five NBA days left on his two-way contract and will have to return to the G League soon if Philadelphia doesn’t open up a 15-man roster spot for him.
- After Kawhi Leonard denied having any offseason interest in the Knicks, the club found a way to put a positive spin on those comments, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. According to Berman, Kawhi’s uncle Dennis Robertson was in touch with the Knicks in the summer and wanted Leonard to listen to the team’s pitch. The Knicks claimed they canceled their scheduled meeting because they felt they were long shots for Leonard and believe the forward’s recent comments validate that decision, Berman notes.
Knicks spin about Kawhi is funny.
It’s like the ugly fat guy, after hearing that the super hot chick was going to reject him asking for a date, he says, “Ah, I was going to ask her, but I decided not to because she’s too stuck up for me. Her saying she was going to reject me proves that I made the right decision.”
Perfect analogy.
Firstly hahah Boston has now lost to Philly 3 times this season. Secondly I think we will play really well without Embid. Horford at centre allows Simmons to play his style more clearing the lanes for him to drive. I think Thybulle, Korkmaz, and Ennis will get some good minutes and we will have a good stretch here for the next 2 weeks.
If we do have a good stretch I can see them wanting to possibly rest Embid more coming down to the playoffs so he doesn’t tire and burn out.
Philly should beat Chicago and NY, but they will probably lose to Dallas, Indiana, Brooklyn (at least once), Toronto, and the Lakers. So at best they might go 3-5, or 4-4 if they’re lucky.
They beat the bulls, beat NY, without Porzingod we beat the Mavs, Indiana are possibly without Sabonis, Brogdan and Oladipo so that’s a win, Brooklyn I think we beat them twice but let’s just say it’s once.
Raptors will be a close game they will have players fresh back from injury, but will be at home so I’ll say that’s a loss. Then the Lakers we lose.
So I’m saying we go 5-3 possibly 7-1 tho. Nets could be easy beats twice and Raptors game will be a close game as will the Lakers
Beating Nets not going to be that easy if Kyrie and the rest of the team are healthy again.
Brown always makes good use of his bench…
Ha ha ha what place is Philly in? Oh yeah …
Sixers just can’t get it together. Embid is a lazy boat anchor. Horford will tire in 3 games and start his clang-orama shooting again. Enjoy looking up in the standings.
Sixers will appropriately be the sixth seed.
Boston fans clap back like hahaha look at where you are in the standings tho….
we are 3-0 against the Celtics this season, and although we sit 5th we actually have the same amount of wins as you guys do in third.
If we finish 6th and you finish 3rd, we play you in the playoffs and so far we are 3-0 against you so I’m not worried hahaha
Atleast Celtic fans know their team isnt good enough to win a Championship
“we actually have the same amount of wins as you guys do in third.”
And “you” have three more losses because it took “you” three additional games to get that many wins. You’re a worse team with their best player out for weeks (and knowing Embiid, expect him to be out longer than estimated).
i know we have 3 more loses. I just find it funny how Boston thinks it’s so much better yet we beat you 3-0, have the same amount of wins and the only thing you have better is you’ve had 3 less loses.
Obviously Boston isn’t going to win but as for us I think we have a good chance. Last year he lost to the raptors in a last second shot and they went on to win. Since then the raptors have gotten worse and we have gotten better, the bucks lost Brogdan, the Celtics lost half its team and on paper if we can all gel I think we can take out the east and I’d be happy with that
Philly has the same chance of winning as Lloyd Christmas
“yet we beat you 3-0”
I’m not a Celtics fan, I’m actually a Knicks fan. Just nitpicking your post because the Knicks have nothing going on worth talking about.
Good chance ? One star who can’t shoot and another who can’t stay on the court lol
Giannis cant shot either and he was MVP
Philly has the same chance of winning as Lloyd Christmas
Stevens and Ainge won’t trade for Drummond, simply because he doesn’t shoot 3’s.
The Celtics are one big man away from winning it all. Jaylen and Jason are coming into their own. Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make.