OKC Thunder: Power Rankings all teams at the trade deadline
. 17-25. Previous: 15th. Toronto Raptors. 20. team. 81
Toronto Raptors: Sellers
Week 13: 0-3
Offense: (112.2) 14th
Defense: (112.2) 22nd
Net: (Minus -0.1) 16th
The team all eyes are laser-focused on today is the Toronto Raptors. It feels like no team has taken more hits this season than the Raptors. They are the only NBA team that had to relocate due to the pandemic and Canadian border restrictions.
Losing both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in the offseason was unexpected when neither big man was willing to sign a shorter term to allow the franchise to keep their salary sheet in line for the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes which quickly became a moot point.
Just as the team found their groove and got back to playing to their identity climbing to the fourth seed in the East, they got hit by COVID and lost three of their top four players for approximately 20 days each. The NBA didn’t help matters forcing them to play games instead of postponing them like other teams with multiple stars out, were allowed to do.
A nine-game losing streak followed with horrible lows such as one basket losses in a game they felt was won but a 41-14 free throw differential for the Jazz signaled otherwise.
With the trade deadline day upon us, the Raptors are losing their heart and soul –the player referred to as GROAT (greatest Raptor of all time) Kyle Lowry to afford him an opportunity to compete for another ring this year. It’s not a guarantee but multiple teams are covetous including the Heat, 76ers, and both LA clubs.
Lowry played what may have been his final game in a Raptors uniform posting the second-best plus/minus in NBA history (+42) in an arena in Tampa Bay filled with fans mostly there to cheer on the opposition Nuggets who the Raptors spanked 135-111.
The entire situation feels surreal and somehow prophetic as last night’s game was handled by the first-ever all-female broadcast team and the Raptors hit another milestone of 24 made 3-pointers.
Norman Powell is the other key cog that may be traded and multiple teams are interested in.
Ultimately, if both players do end up being traded it will feel like another casualty of COVID. A fanbase robbed of having the opportunity to let their cornerstone Lowry play out his career with the organization he grew with and defined all while becoming the face, voice, heart, and soul of.