Report: Raptors hoping to acquire draft pick to select Kentucky standout
The Toronto Raptors don’t have a draft pick right now, but they’re trying to change that to get a shot at a player they apparently covet.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Raptors are willing to make anyone on their roster available to trade into the top ten to draft Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Draft scuttle: Hearing Toronto is exploring all of its trade options in hopes of assembling a deal to acquire a draft pick high enough to select Kentucky's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2018
According to one league source, no one on Toronto's roster is off limits as the Raptors pursue a top-10 pick https://t.co/AZzCv8fPXD
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2018
That’s a big statement considering the Raptors have stars such as DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Obviously parting with either for only a draft pick is probably not going to happen, but they’ve thought about it before, so perhaps it’s not quite as unlikely as it seems at first glance.
Moreover, this is a clear indication that the Raptors think they need to change some things. Despite winning 59 games, Toronto was swept in the Eastern Conference Finals, and now they’ve fired their coach and appear willing to make major changes to their roster.
