The Toronto Raptors have added their name to the long list of teams interested in the services of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving. Newly promoted Raptors general manager Bobby Webster admitted to TSN’s 1050's Michael Landsberg and Matt Cauz that the team inquired about Irving.
Webster said the move was part of their due diligence, as other NBA teams do. “Things don't always make sense, but if they do we're always prepared,” said Webster, the youngest general manager in the NBA at age 32. With the player of Irving’s ability, Webster said the Raptors will get a big miss if they don’t call.
Looking at their current roster, the Raptors do not have the necessary pieces to meet Cleveland’s demand for Irving. The Cavaliers are eyeing a win-now veteran, a blue-chip young player and a top draft pick for Irving. Also, the Raptors currently have a starting point guard in Kyle Lowry, who recently signed a three-year, $100-million contract.
Lowry cannot be traded until January under league rules. Last month, Irving met with Cavaliers team owner Dan Gilbert and requested a trade to either the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs or the Minnesota Timberwolves. During the meeting, he expressed his desire to become the No. 1 option of a team, away from LeBron James’ presence.
Raptors sign Lowry, Ibaka to fresh deals
Aside from Lowry, the Raptors also signed Serge Ibaka to a three-year deal worth $65 million, putting them as one of the contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors lost Patrick Patterson and PJ Tucker to free agency while they traded backup point guard Cory Joseph to the Indiana Pacers for outside shooter CJ Miles.
Toronto also parted ways with DeMarre Carroll, whom they shipped to the Brooklyn Nets to create salary cap space. Carroll was scheduled to make $14.8 million this season and $15.4 million in the 2018-19 season. The Raptors won 51 games last season and made it to the second round of the playoffs, where they were outclassed by the Cavaliers.
Coach Dwane Casey on the hot seat?
With the core from last season returning, the Raptors remain contenders in the Eastern Conference. However, the coming season will determine head coach Dwane Casey’s future with the Raptors. After tallying losing records in his first two seasons with the Raptors, Casey led the team to the playoffs in his next four seasons.
During the 2015-16 season, the Raptors finished with a 56-26 record but fell short in the Conference Finals against the Cavaliers. Casey is also the franchise leader in playoff wins with 17, ahead of Lenny Wilkens with eight.
