NBA Trade Rumors: The Toronto Raptors are keeping a close eye on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the attempt he becomes available.
The Toronto Raptors have a roster that is a superstar or another star away from being a true championship contender. And while many believe that internal development is something the Raptors will lean on this season, it’s not the only avenue to competing for a championship.
The last time the Raptors won a championship, they did so after acquiring Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs. There’s some belief that Toronto could do the same. The question is, which star is one that the Raptors could target?
Who could the Toronto Raptors target?
One player to keep an eye on – which many around the NBA are – is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA isn’t on an expiring contract and is actually under contract for the foreseeable future in OKC. There also isn’t anything reported that would suggest he’s unhappy.
Though, he is in a rough situation. The Thunder will still be rebuilding this season and it’s difficult to envision them winning many games this year. If OKC doesn’t turn their fortunes around sooner rather than later, perhaps he could be the next disgruntled star to ask for a trade.
Again, a lot has to happen between now and then. But, according to a recent report, he’s a player that many teams around the league, including the Raptors, are keeping a close eye on.
SGA is one of the most underrated guards in the league and is coming off a season in which he averaged 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting from the field. He’s also just 24 years old. That means there’s a good chance he hasn’t even played the best basketball of his career yet.
I don’t think SGA is going to demand a trade this season. It would be surprising if he did. But if OKC doesn’t see improvement from their young prospects this year, I don’t think it would be out of the realm of possibility that either SGA would demand a trade soon after this season or the Thunder would be open to blowing their core up again.
And if so, the Raptors will be a team that is keeping a close eye on the situation. You can also assume that many other teams will be doing so as well.