How the Toronto Raptors could win the 2021 NBA offseason
By Jim James
The Toronto Raptors, admittedly, are in a tough spot. Our PBO & best player’s contracts are both expiring, and our young core, while good, could be better. However, we have the No.4 pick in a very nice NBA draft, and we have good trade bait. With all that in mind, let’s see a few moves that could potentially happen that would see the Toronto Raptors win the NBA offseason
#1: Make the Pascal Siakam to the Warriors trade happen
As you know, at the start of the month, the Warriors were rumored to be trying to package James Wiseman & the #7 pick for a player to help them win now with the return of Klay Thompson. One name that was thrown into the ring was Pascal Siakam. If the Raptors could make this deal happen without throwing in the #4 pick that they already have, they could probably shave at least 1 season off their rebuild.
The #2 pick last year along with one of Suggs, Mobley & Green as well as Scottie Barnes, Johnathan Kuminga, or Davion Mitchell. It seems too promising to be true. It might be, but we’ll have to wait until draft night to find out.
#2: Draft Suggs, Green, or Cunningham in the Draft
A top 4 pick is always a blessing for a team, especially one with as good talent as the Raptors. If you can draft right, he can steer your team in the right direction. Draft wrong, and it’s another year at the bottom for you. Cade Cunningham is 100% going #1, so he’s off the menu, but Suggs & Green are players who can score, and they seem a lot more NBA ready than Evan Mobley. I’d be fine with either of the 2, but I just hope we can draft a DeRozan, not a Bosh.
#3: Keep Masai Ujuri
The Decision still hasn’t been made, and it’s anyone’s guess on what Masai Ujuri will do this offseason, but if he stays, he could be the perfect guy to lead us – again – out of the rebuilding process. If he leaves, good for him, he will always have a special place in my heart as the president of basketball operations who brought Toronto a championship
Those are 3 things that the Toronto Raptors could do to potentially win the offseason. Sure, there’s no Ben Simmons or Damian Lillard in the equation, but these 3 small moves will be great for the Raptors long term. I’m Jim James, and see you next time!
I see you, Dr. Kyle Lowry