Just a few months following the departure of Kawhi Leonard, and it’s fair to say that the Raptors have held their own.
Instead of blowing up the roster, Masai Ujiri decided to wait and discover what kind of team he had. That decision is being well rewarded, as the Raptors stand 3rd in the East facing the real possibility of a long postseason run.
Still, it seems obvious that the team needs at least one more piece to really be considered a Championship contender this spring. According to Dan Woike, the Raptors may be willing to break up their core to make that happen.
Some teams believe the Raptors would listen to calls on players like Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, per @DanWoikeSports
“There’s also speculation that Kyle Lowry could be had at the right price.“
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 19, 2020
It’s hard to say what kind of value Gasol and Lowry bring on the trade market, but the Raptors intend to get someone big in return.
With Pascal Siakam running the show, the team will be looking for a partner, a second-option, someone to help score buckets and who fits Siakam’s timeline.
It will be ineteresting to see what the Raptors can do ahead of February’s trade deadline.
