Just a season removed from their NBA title victory in 2019, the Toronto Raptors don’t have any plans of slowing down. Despite the departure of Kawhi Leonard, they’ve been one of the East’s better teams this season, boasting a 46-18 record.
Crazily enough, they might get even better next season. According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors are looking into the possibility of signing Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer.
“Outlandish prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo rejects a contract extension from Milwaukee this summer, is traded to Toronto and the Raptors—backstopped by Giannis and Pascal Siakam—win the 2021 NBA championship. Masai Ujiri strikes again.”
Buried in this column:
Outlandish prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo rejects a contract extension from Milwaukee this summer, is traded to Toronto and the Raptors—backstopped by Giannis and Pascal Siakam—win the 2021 NBA championship. Masai Ujiri strikes again. https://t.co/7S2MUcrOb7
— 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 (@AaronBenRose) May 8, 2020
Of course, the Raptors being interested in Giannis is hardly a surprise. Masai has a tendency to shoot big, and Antetokounmpo is definitely the biggest fish in the pond.
He was on track to win his second-straight MVP before the NBA season got suspended, averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 54% shooting. With Pascal Siakam, the Raptors would have a pretty formidable one-two punch.
But if they want him this summer, the Raptors will have to trade for him. In the scenario, expect guys like Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol to be included in the deal.
It’ll be interesting to see what transpires in the weeks and months to come.
