What the US Media is Saying About the Toronto Raptors: Trade Deadline Edition

The Toronto Raptors had an eventful trade deadline, acquiring Marc Gasol. Here’s what the media had to say about the merits of the move and the team’s chances moving forward.

After watching the 76ers and Bucks make moves prior to the deadline, the heat was starting to rise in Toronto. Masai Ujiri feels pressure, but as the deadline ticked closer, it felt as if the Toronto Raptors had to do something.

The Sixers added a few nice pieces including Tobias Harris and Jonathon Simmons while the Bucks added sharpshooter Nikola Mirotic. Mirotic is the perfect addition for Mike Budenholzer’s team.

The aggressive moves prove the East should be taken seriously. After the Golden State Warriors, the East may boast the next three best teams in the league in  Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Where the Raptors rank amongst those three though, is not as certain.

The Raptors, almost forced into a corner by the rise of the East and the impending threat of Kawhi leaving, saw this as a Win Now year and reacted in turn.

The result:

Here’s a look at how the local and national media south of the border assessed the Raptor’s deal and their chances moving forward.

Local

The trade deadline move to the Toronto Raptors ended an impressive 11 year run for Gasol with the Memphis Grizzlies. While there, the dynamic Spaniard filled his resume with three all Star nods, two All NBA spots and a Defensive Player of the Year award. The Memphis Commercial Appeal breaks down the legacy of the franchise player and takes a look at the former Raptors coming their way.

The Philadelphia Inquirer had mixed reviews payout whether the Sixers overpaid for Tobias Harris in their deal with the Clippers. But most writers for the paper DO agree that Harris may be key to both short and long term success.

"Harris’ versatility is vital on a Sixers squad that still lacks depth. The Sixers have a minimum of two starters on the floor at any given time. He could move to small forward in instances when Butler plays point guard."

Keith Pompey suggests that the Sixers are, at the very least, right there with the best teams in the East.

"As exciting as the 76ers have been this season, you would have been hard-pressed to find someone who really thought they were capable of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. But now you have to put them in that category with the Boston Celtics, the Toronto Raptors, and the Milwaukee Bucks."

The Boston Herald is confident that the Celtics were winners at the trade deadline, despite not making a move and their competition bulking up plenty. Confident with their roster as is, and their sights on a bigger fish this off-season, Danny Ainge and the Celtics stood pat.

"The Celtics president, in long time talks with New Orleans about trading for Davis, can now work on polishing his best offer – which may require the inclusion of Jayson Tatum – by the opening of the new contractual year on July 1. A trade for Davis may be the step that secures a commitment from Kyrie Irving, whose presence in turn may be what’s needed to convince Davis to stay when he enters free agency in the summer of 2020."

National

Sports Illustrated reacted quickly to the Gasol trade, declaring “Marc Gasol Pushes Raptors to the Front of East’s Arms Race”. While SI only gave the Raps a B+ for the deal, they do feel he is an upgrade over Valanciunas and can definitely help the Raptors come playoff time, specifically as they acclimate in series-to-series matchups against Boston, Milwaukee, and Philly.

"This isn’t the all-league Gasol of 2015. Yet even a more marginalized version, scaled back in most respects, is a nice addition under the circumstances. If nothing else, he is a safer, more capable version of Valanciunas: a bruiser when need be, a giant to punish opponents who dare run small, a smart team defender, and a willing shooter from deep."

The Ringer reluctantly gave the Raptors a ‘Winner’ grade citing Marc Gasol just isn’t the player he used to be. While being a cerebral defensive player, Gasol has certainly lost a step due to age and a surgically repaired right foot.

"Opponents are shooting 61.7 percent at the basket when Gasol’s defending on the play, the fifth-worst mark of any big who sees at least five such shot attempts per game. They were shooting just 48.9 percent against Valanciunas, who is finally healthy again after dislocating his left thumb in mid-December."

Still, if Nick Nurse can find a rotation arrangement for Gasol, possibly platooning the centre with former Spanish teammate Serge Ibaka, while reducing his minutes to conserve his health come playoff time, they feel this deal could be a winner for Toronto.

CBS Sports likes the Raptors move, calling them “tougher and smarter” with the addition of Gasol over Valanciunas. They suppose that Gasol will start ahead of Ibaka, which may or may not happen, yet will have his minutes reduced in certain match-ups. The article also looks at the other moves made by the Beasts of the East, declaring the contest between the top teams in the East one of the best storylines in the NBA to come.

The Bleacher Report wrote a thorough piece evaluating “How Eastern Conference Heavyweights Shake Out After Trade Deadline Arms Race”. They rank the Raptors second after the Bucks but add that the Raptors defence is going to be really good as is

"“the potency of lineups featuring Gasol alongside Pascal Siakam, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Kyle Lowry. The four incumbents have already earned a 104.4 defensive rating in their 587 minutes together, and they’re getting an upgrade at the 5 to ensure the opposition can’t find even the most minuscule cracks in the façade.”"

Finally, The Lowe Post breaks down the Raptors chances in an improving East. Tune in at the 25:00 minute mark to hear the breakdown of the conference and the 31:00 mark for their thoughts on the Gasol acquisition.

Power Rankings

ESPN has the Raptors moving up one spot to number three this week, trailing the Bucks and Warriors.

"What might be just as auspicious for Toronto was Kyle Lowry’s week, one of his most productive of the season as the Raps picked up three road wins. Lowry averaged 18.3 points, 8.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the week on an effective field goal percentage of 57.7."

SI has the Raptors at the five spot, up two from last week. They love the recent play of Pascal Siakam and cite the addition of Gasol as a solid move.

"With a win over the 76ers last week and the addition of Marc Gasol, I wanted to buy back in on the Raptors being one of the top two teams in the East. Unfortunately, two other squads had better trade acquisitions."