The Toronto Raptors explored the possibility of making a blockbuster trade this NBA offseason. They were a team lurking in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes after he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
To a lesser extent, they were also linked to Donovan Mitchell before the Utah Jazz traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While no trade came to fruition this offseason, Toronto’s front office has shown that they are not afraid to aggressively pursue trades that will put them in a position to contend. They did it when they acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs despite him being on an expiring contract and it worked out well that time.
So, who could be the next All-Star caliber player that hits the trade market for the Raptors and other teams to pursue? A lot of people believe it could be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder & Toronto Raptors Updates
After making the postseason in his first season with the team, general manager Sam Presti has embarked on a lengthy rebuild. The situation with Gilgeous-Alexander is one that the Raptors are reportedly keeping their eyes on. Josh Lewenberg of TSN shared the update.
“One of the situations they’re closely monitoring, according to a league source, is in Oklahoma City, where Toronto-born star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may eventually tire of leading a rebuild. The Thunder have gone 46-108 over the past two years and don’t seem close to turning the corner, especially after losing second-overall pick Chet Holmgren to an off-season foot injury.”
This was the first offseason in a few years that the Thunder did make some moves to improve the team, signing Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams to lengthy extensions. They will be part of the core moving forward, but the injury to Chet Holmgren, who will miss his entire first season in the NBA, likely means at least one more season of a lot of losing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder & Toronto Raptors Updates
Gilgeous-Alexander is committed to the Thunder and believes there will be better days on the horizon, that is why he signed a max rookie extension with the team. But, no one would blame him if he sought greener pastures if the team can only must about 25 wins for a third consecutive season.
