#toronto-raptors

#toronto-raptors

Currently, the Raptors belong to a very specific and defined middle class in the league. One that likely neither expects to win in the playoffs nor in the lottery. Losing to the Detroit Pistons in their final game before the break was part of a season-long pattern: And the Raptors, finally close to full health for the first time in months, once again saw how much further up the mountain they'll have to climb to accomplish their goals.

Boucher didn't see game action in the final 23 games in his last season with Toronto, and it wasn't because of poor play. The 33-year-old was Toronto's leading bench scorer at 10.0 points per game while chipping in 4.5 rebounds, and was having one of his best shooting seasons, converting at 36.3 per cent from three-point range (3.9 attempts) while hitting at a 63.3 per cent clip from inside the arc. Among Raptors regulars, his +4.9 net rating was second.

We are back for week 10 of the Top 10 Raptors Plays of the Week, as Toronto heads into the All-Star break with a 32-23 record after only winning 30 games all of last season. It's been a tough limp into the All-Star break with a bunch of double-digit leads being thrown by the Raptors, and of course, the record should be better, but let's take a moment to appreciate that Toronto is currently in a fight for a top 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. The week kicked off with one of the thrown leads at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, to the Chicago Bulls game that was nationally televised for the Americans for some reason, to a Super Bowl Sunday victory against a familiar foe, and finally an embarrassing blowout loss against the top-seeded Pistons at home.

Taking a flier on Sochan would seem like a low-risk upside play. He was the No. 9 pick in the NBA Draft less than four years ago; perhaps they could unlock his potential in a new situation and pick up a talented forward for nothing? Fat chance. Jeremy Sochan is washed up already For starters, the reason that the Spurs moved on from Sochan was that his complete and utter lack of shooting and scoring ability made him unplayable.

Matchup wise, Scottie Barnes has the advantage tonight. His big and broad frame barreling downhill is a lot for most teams to handle, but with Indiana not having a large wing to throw on him, it will make his drives even more fruitful. Pascal Siakam or Aaron Nesmith may get the assignment tonight, depending on how Rick Carlisle wants to guard Brandon Ingram, but whomever it is on Barnes, he will have the size advantage.

Coby White is headed back home to North Carolina. A native of the Tar Heel State and of course, a University of North Carolina (UNC) alum, the 25-year-old spark plug guard has reportedly been dealt to his hometown Charlotte Hornets in a trade also sending veteran guard Mike Conley to Buzz City, while Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round picks go to the Chicago Bulls.

The LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors have agreed on a multi-team trade sending Chris Paul to the Raptors and Ochai Agbaji, a 2032 Raptors second-rounder and cash to the Nets, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. The Raptors will not require Chris Paul to report to the team and could still discuss moving him before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline.

In 2019, the Toronto Raptors made an improbable run to the NBA Finals, winning it all in six games over the two-time defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. Today, the Raptors look nothing like that squad, with Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell having since moved on to different teams. VanVleet and Powell both shared that championship together as teammates and have maintained a connection ever since.