The Raptors Are on a 9-0 Run Right Now. Is It Time to Go All-In?
It’s been a butter-smooth ride, Toronto Raptors fans. Kyle Lowry and co. have won nine games in a row — matching a franchise-best streak — with a chance to set a new record tonight against the New York Knicks. Locker room rapport is better than ever, the media’s got nothing to kvetch about, tickets are selling like gangbusters, and we’re on course for a third straight playoff run.
But let’s not get too comfy. Because, in a hot second, this breezy cruise can turn into a stop-and-stare freeway pileup.
That’s just a friendly reminder — and not so much for you as for GM Masai Ujiri. He, more than anyone, should be well aware that the playoffs can be a mighty scary place. Like, swept-in-the-first-round scary. We’re talking missing-the-buzzer-beater-in-game-seven (again) scary. Traumatizing shit. Which is why now — as the NBA trade deadline looms and the Raptors sit second in the Eastern Conference — is when Ujiri should consider pulling the trigger and making some damn moves.
Maybe I sound off my rocker. Things are well and good in Jurassic Park, you say. We’re top 10 in both offense and defense. Ujiri beefed up our backend (signing DeMarre Carroll) and bench (adding Bismack Biyombo and Cory Joseph) in the off-season, and it’s paid dividends. Logic seems to suggest we should stay the course.
Only, staying the course is exactly what Ujiri did last year at deadline time — and that didn’t turn out so hot, did it? Sure, we’ve got a better team now. But how much better are we, really? Better enough to take down other Eastern Conference contenders, like, say, the Bulls (who beat us twice this season, including a game where Jimmy Butler broke one of Michael Jordan’s scoring records)? Better enough to pose a threat to the conference-leading Cavaliers (who have Lebron mother-effing James and Kyrie Irving, the guy who scored a season-high 25 points against us)? Championship contender-level better? Really?
This is a Toronto sports team we’re talking about — postseason choking is the city’s specialty. We could use some choke-proofing. The best way to prevent gagging? Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Of course, the Raps can get a bigger bite by adding some pieces right now. One such piece: Boston Celtics power forward David Lee, whom Ujiri is said to be interested in. Snagging him would take some pressure off DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, whom we tend to over-rely on for scoring, making us predictable in clutch situations. His veteran experience (he won a ring a with Golden State last season) would help us go deep in the playoffs. The only problem is his $15.4 million contract, which would likely require us to trade Terrence Ross and/or Patrick Patterson to free up cap space. But both those players have been consistently inconsistent offense-wise (dudes, seriously: enough with the turnovers), so that wouldn’t be the worst thing.
The Raps also have other ways of sharpening their teeth. The Phoenix Suns’ disgruntled power forward Markieff Morris is a versatile defender, a great offensive floor-spacer, and best of all, the signee of a very reasonable contract. The Washington Wizards, meanwhile, are rumoured to be shopping around Marcin Gortat and Nene, both of whom could strengthen the Raps’ depleted frontcourt depth. And Ujiri just happens to be flush with extra draft picks — picks he himself has admitted he “can’t use all of.” So why not bait the ole trade hook with them?
Just a little something to think about, Masai. Maybe chew over it while enjoying All-Star Weekend in Toronto. But don’t wait too long. Because time is ticking and this city — nay, this country — is growing pretty impatient waiting for a winner. You know, the kind that doesn’t crash and burn.
