The Toronto Raptors did not make a huge trade in the offseason, though they were linked to names like Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander somewhat regularly in the summer months. A few weeks into the 2022-23 season, those whispers have not died down.
While the Thunder have been better than a lot of preseason predictors could have imagined, they will still likely be in the hunt for Victor Wembanyama when the season ends. After another season in the lottery, the two parties could look to start new eras elsewhere.
With Gilgeous-Alexander one of only a select few players averaging well over 30 points per game this season, he’s hitting his peak as a player. Given the ultra-difficult Eastern Conference, some Raptors fans are eyeing a trade for the Toronto native, who could be the final piece of this (potentially) championship puzzle.
A few factors are working in Toronto’s favor that could theoretically get the Gilgeous-Alexander trade rumors started back up. However, the Raptors have some obstacles that need to be cleared before a deal can be consummated. Will a trade come to fruition?
2 reasons the Toronto Raptors will trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Why they will: The Thunder’s direction
The Thunder will likely end the season in the bottom half of the standings, which will have to frustrate a player like Shai that is facing his finest individual season. Even though Gilgeous-Alexander continues to produce, he is not the only long-term piece OKC has acquired in the last few years (or could acquire in a Raptors deal).
A long-term core of Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, some of the pieces they get back from Toronto, and whomever they add in this draft would be quite the intriguing option. With two other lottery picks from this year in Jalen Williams and Ousmane Dieng, this new-look Thunder team could thrive in a weak West with a few years of seasoning.
Toronto Raptors: Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tire of the Thunder?
Gilgeous-Alexander is clearly the best asset Oklahoma City has right now, but the fact that they continue to lose games with him at the helm and Giddey playing well shows that this team has a very hard ceiling on it as it is currently constructed. Could that get Sam Presti motivated to deal?
Gilgeous-Alexander has already got the stats that prove he’s an elite talent, and he;’s earned his big multi-year contract. If he’s eyeing a spot that can get him closer to a championship, all while bringing him back home, he could try to force his way over to the league’s lone Canadian team.
Why they won’t: Cost
Considering the recent Donovan Mitchell trade, the Raptors will likely have to pay an arm and a leg for the privilege of having Gilgeous-Alexander on their team. This will assuredly include multiple starters and unprotected first-round picks, which could bite them in a significant way.
The Mitchell trade saw a standout young guard (Collin Sexton), a proven veteran forward (Lauri Markkanen), the No. 14 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft (Ochai Agbaji), and three first-round picks. Swap those names out and replace them with O.G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. Still want to do that deal?
The Toronto Raptors may not be able to afford Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
While the Kawhi Leonard deal is often cited as proof that Masai Ujiri is willing to pay all sorts of exorbitant prices to win a championship, that trade was for a player with severe durability concerns and a very vocal desire to leave San Antonio. Even in that one, DeMar DeRozan had to be surrendered to make it possible.
Ujiri is aggressive, but he is not reckless. As such, he is willing to hold firm with what he believes is a viable trade offer. Given the confidence and trust that Ujiri has in this roster right now, Presti can’t take advantage of a desperate team that is trying to add talent quickly.
Why they Will: Fit on the team
Everyone knows that the Raptors love length and speed, and there aren’t many perimeter players that can blow past even the staunchest perimeter defenders while being able to star at both guard spots like SGA can. Even though Mitchell is dominating in Cleveland, Gilgeous-Alexander may be a better Raptors fit.
Gilgeous-Alexander can handle the ball, shoot well from 3-point range, be an effective scorer and passer when in transition, and knockdown big shots in the clutch. If Ujiri could draw up a guard on a board, this is what it would look like. Players like him are very rarely available.
The Toronto Raptors are the perfect place for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Assuming that Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes are non-starters in trade talks, the Raptors could roll out some very interesting lineups with SGA in the fold. Imagine trying to score on a Shai-Scottie-O.G. Anunoby-Siakam-Christian Koloko lineup. Now imagine trying to stop them on the other end.
The Raptors know that any sort of Gilgeous-Alexander trade (despite Drake’s best efforts and wishes) will bring about a seismic shift in how this team operates. However, if they want to return to the Finals with this core remaining mostly intact, making this deal could be the most logical way to build a win.