The Toronto Raptors are at a bit of a crossroads this NBA offseason. After failing to get past the Cleveland Cavaliers once more in the postseason, the team started the summer by leaving their Coach of the Year candidate behind before they crossed that proverbial road.
Toronto has a new coach in former assistant Nick Nurse, but what they do with their roster is still a big question. Will the Raptors try to switch things up — perhaps even in an move to acquire Kawhi Leonard — or will they stand pat with a core that includes DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry and try to make another run in what will perhaps be a LeBron-less Eastern Conference?
The future is very much unwritten, but it appears the team might have established a target in the NBA Draft later this week. Marc Stein of the New York Times reported on Monday that the Raptors are in making a move up in the first round to target Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Draft scuttle: Hearing Toronto is exploring all of its trade options in hopes of assembling a deal to acquire a draft pick high enough to select Kentucky's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2018
Our Brad Rowland has Gilgeous-Alexander slotted in at No. 11 in his mock draft, though Gilgeous-Alexander could find himself going anywhere in the back half of the lottery.
Toronto doesn’t currently have a pick in the first round, which means the team would likely have to move a roster player in order to get draft assets this season. And Stein says the team is willing to hear offers for anyone on the roster if a Top 10 pick is part of the package coming back.
According to one league source, no one on Toronto's roster is off limits as the Raptors pursue a top-10 pick https://t.co/AZzCv8fPXD
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2018
That certainly spices up a draft that, thus far, has had all chatter but no real smoke yet compared to last year when the top pick was moved well before draft night and major All-Stars were on the trading block at the draft as well. If Toronto truly believes Gilgeous-Alexander is the future of its franchise, they might be one of the teams to make a big move this week.
