The Toronto Raptors would have to sacrifice their young players if they want to go all in this season. NBA writer Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post stressed the Raptors must pay big for them to have a legit shot at dislodging the Eastern Conference champ Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
Make or Break Decision
Bontemps believes the Raptors have the assets to make a run at game-changing players if they wanted to. However, pursuing an established star, especially a power forward in the caliber of Paul Millsap and Serge Ibaka, would require the Raptors to compromise their future.
"This all begs the question: if Toronto can package a pick with some of these young pieces to go after a difference maker at one of the forward spots - but particularly at power forward - should it to try and make a run at Cleveland now? The Raptors have clearly already explored the idea, making a push in June to trade for Serge Ibaka at the NBA draft before he eventually went to Orlando for the No. 11 pick and Victor Oladipo. They also were thought to be in the mix to trade for Paul Millsap if Al Horford had decided to re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks."
The Raptors will have a chance to get these players heading into February's trade deadline. Ibaka and Millsap will become unrestricted free-agent next summer, making a trade a lot riskier for the Raptors. Indeed, it would be a make or break move.
Sixers Eye Lowry
Zach Lowe of ESPN believes the Philadelphia 76ers will make a serious run at point guard Kyle Lowry next summer. Lowry is expected to command a contact worth $25-30MM per year when he hits the free-agency market.
The Raptors are facing a critical situation whether to pay big or let Lowry walk away. In case, the Raptors decide to move on, several teams are expected to give Lowry a career-high paycheck, one of these teams are the Sixers.