In Toronto Raptors rumors, there has been speculation that the Raptors might be interested in trading for Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This speculation stems from an article by TSN’s Josh Lewenberg. Here’s what he said concerning this:
“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.
The 24-year-old point guard spent the summer playing for Nurse with the Canadian senior men’s national team, so there is familiarity on both sides. Gilgeous-Alexander is under contract with OKC through 2026-27 and has given no indication that he would prefer to play elsewhere, but again, things can change quickly in this crazy league. If that or any other enticing opportunity presents itself, Ujiri and Webster – flexible as ever – will be ready.”
So based on this article, are the Raptors looking to trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
Raptors Rumors – Are the Raptors Going to Trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
As you can see, the quote from the article is pretty vague. The article states according to a league source. That could be anybody really. The NBA is a large organization with 30 teams. There are probably thousands of people working for them from the security guard or cleaners at a team’s arena to executives working at the league office. So who knows who said it. Also, the article mentions that Shai-Alexander has given no indication he wants to play elsewhere. This makes sense especially since he recently signed a large 5 year contract extension to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Unfortunately, this part of the article is nothing more than speculation. It is true that he played under Nick Nurse for the national team this summer. But that doesn’t mean he wants to play with the Raptors. Also, saying things can change quickly, is a generic statement. I could break my leg tomorrow all of a sudden for no reason. Do I plan my future around that? Finally saying if that or any other enticing opportunity presents itself that the Raptors will be ready is obvious. Every team in the NBA would be ready too. That’s what all front offices do, not just the Raptors. Does this mean that they are going to trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? The answer is no.
– Conclusion
These latest Raptors rumors are not rumors at all. Instead it is speculation crafted in a way to make it seem more than it is. The reality is that the Raptors are monitoring all team situations as are all other teams in the NBA. Sure the Raptors would love to have Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander. So would 29 other teams, including his own team which recently just gave him a huge extension. Will the Raptors trade for him anytime soon? No they won’t as there is no indication that he wants to be traded or that the Oklahoma City Thunder are interested in trading him. Just think, if they wanted to trade him, why would they prevent Gilgeous-Alexander from playing in anymore games for the national team after Chet Holgren got injured for the year in a pro am game? It could have been a chance to showcase his abilities to everyone on the international stage and generate interest in him. Instead, they shut him down so he would not risk getting injured for the upcoming season. Does that sound like a team wanting to trade him or a team trying to protect their investment in which they invested heavily in with a five year extension?
No, the Raptors are focusing on their current roster and seeing how the growth of their own players plays out. It would be nice have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but it ain’t happening. The only way it happens is on NBA 2K or in fantasy basketball. But neither is reality.
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