The Raptors face a bevy of intriguing choices ahead of the March 25 trade deadline, Blake Murphy of The Athletic notes. Murphy writes that, with the current contracts for both point guard Kyle Lowry and wing Norman Powell coming off Toronto’s books this summer, the team may be exercising caution ahead of the deadline when it comes to adding any player with a deal that lasts into next season or beyond.
Should the Raptors opt not to re-sign Lowry and/or Powell, they could have ample salary cap room to add new players. Murphy details the possible routes available for improving the team without Toronto exceeding the 2020/21 salary cap, and all impediments to dealing particular players in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Sixers forward Tobias Harris did not make the cut for the NBA’s All-Star reserves tonight, despite some of the best play of his career for the East-leading Philadelphia. Harris’ father Torrel Harris, who is also Tobias’ agent, expressed his thoughts in a text to Sam Amick of The Athletic (Twitter link). “It’s very disappointing that Tobias Harris was not selected,” Torrel said, noting that Tobias has played a key role in leading the 76ers to the top seed in the conference.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that Knicks forward Julius Randle finally achieved a longtime goal in becoming an All-Star for the first time with his selection to the 2021 East reserves tonight. “My goal was never just to play in the NBA,” Randle said ahead of his selection. “I just wanted to be the best player I could possibly be and reach my potential. And I try to push myself every day to do so. [Becoming an All-Star] would definitely be a milestone.”
- Raptors head coach Nick Nurse will consider a variety of candidates to fill the vacancy left by assistant coach Chris Finch, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. Finch vacated his assistant position with Toronto for a head coaching opportunity with the Timberwolves yesterday. Giving more responsibility to current assistant coach Jama Mahlalela, adding G League assistant coach Brittni Donaldson, or signing someone else from an overseas club or another G League team could all be on the table.
Congrats to Julius Randle! I’ve never liked his signing or game (this is actually an understatement). I reserve the right to still not like the offense in which he thrives. But I was wrong about the player. His excellence on the court this year is undeniable, and work and focus it had to take for this year over year improvement, touching every weakness in his game, is an impressive personal accomplishment. Great job.
I never had a problem with him. The Lakers gave up on him way too soon, let him walk for nothing, and now he has become one of the better bigs in the NBA. If the Knicks want to trade him for Oladipo, I’m all for it.
There are only two things he is doing different this yr. He’s always shown the talent. Or should I say, those of us who could see it. He’s gotten in best shape of his life #1. He’s making better decisions #2. Those are the major differences this yr. So with Thibs (Toppin here) making team play D n more like a team. We have better team success. All help him look better and stats are little better. More important it’s consistency, something he wasn’t. All of media killed this signing. Then fans bought in. Just shows players with real talent can still show up (26) later in career. Not gonna say I knew it. But always thought he wasn’t given a chance or right coaching. And I’ve posted that here last yr. For all the we should of signed KD n Ky shouters. And Im still a Toppin guy
Ryan Saunders is available to fill the Assistant Coach vacancy !!!
And it’s been said that the best path to a head coaching gig is to assistant with Toronto.
I thought Randle would be great for the Nix. Credit goes to Thibs and Payton for accepting his importance. Nix FO did not do that bad after losing out on Irving & Durant and pivoting to the next level of talent, but fans were disappointed at the dropoff and it took a year to get the right coach in place and personalities sorted out.
Still think they should have drafted Maxey though.
Sixers have been linked to Lowry for years. I’d rather take Powell though. Wouldn’t have to deplete the entire bench to facilitate a trade. However I dont see Toronto dealing him if they intend to or think they can resign him. The way hes playing a 1st+.
I am not willing to deal Maxey, Thybulle, or Milton.
I think a playoff rotation is 8 or 9 at most. So right now it’s Embiid, Simmons, Harris, Curry, Howard, Green, Milton, Thybulle, and Maxey. That’s the rotation without a move.
So Scott, Ferguson, Bradley, Poirier, and Korkmaz all can go. Joe is a developmental player they should keep.
Of the 9 listed Green is the one I’d use in a trade. No value beyond this year to this squad.
This is why I dont see a LaVine or Hield trade really happening. Will cost too much. Powell would be a good fit. But they’d probably want Shake or Maxey. Neither is “untouchable” but a team with their cap situation cant afford to give up young cost controlled players they hit on in the draft.
Randle deserves all the credit for making all star. He has really improved in a few areas. The game has slowed down for him, as the greats say. Getting in best shape of his life has helped. At 26 it shows you can always get better. He’s been most consistent Knick this yr. Last night Curry was real good. RJ again had an off night. Bench wasn’t great either. So they lost a gm they could of won (won’t say should of). I’m still on the fence with Randle going forward. But he’s starting to win me over. He’s fought thru a lot of adversity to get here. In NY we love toughness almost as much as talent. When you got both, well sky’s the limit.
Sixers need more help???