Toronto Raptors willing to trade their number 8 pick for a small forward – NBA News
The Toronto Raptors have put their first round # 8 pick up for grabs in the hope of landing a quality small forward, ESPN’s Marc Stein reports.
The Raptors are a basketball club looking to improve and hence, have their eyes on improving the wingman position which has become so pivotal in today’s NBA with players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant leading. And they are using their # 8 pick in the NBA Draft this year as the bargaining chip.
“And that’s why the Raptors have already made it known to rival teams that their lottery pick on June 28 — No. 8 overall — is available to a trade partner that can provide the elite small forward they seek, according to sources close to the situation,” reports Stein.
The Raptors are said to be targeting Memphis Grizzlies small forward Rudy g*y and Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. Both players have had successful seasons with their respective teams and have also seen success in this season with their teams.
Memphis Grizzlies reached the playoffs this season but were eliminated by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. The Sixers went one better, losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. It is highly unlikely that these two teams would be willing to trade these players and would want to risk disturbing their starting combination.
Toronto is looking to make some big moves in the offseason. They have Jonas Valanciunas coming over from the Euro league this year. He was a first round 5th pick of the Raptors in last year’s NBA Draft but could not get out of his contract and will join the Raptors this year.
With guys like Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan already in the lineup, the Raptors could get a huge boost if they can land a quality small forward. However, it is not sure whether an 8th pick in the Draft can land them a player of the quality and price tag of g*y and Iguodala. But seeing the Raptors making moves is a sign of good things to come from the only basketball franchise from Canada.
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