Executive fuels Raptors/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade rumors

The Toronto Raptors and their fans are already scouring the trade market for potential acquisitions that can turn his team into a championship squad, but none will provide a more immediate short-term boost than Oklahoma City Thunder guard and native Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

While the Thunder have had some spirited performances to begin the season, they are widely expected to be at or near the front of the line as they try to acquire Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick. Ending the season in that range would be an egregious waste of Gilgeous-Alexander and his talent.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, an anonymous NBA executive claims that the rumors about Oklahoma city potentially trading Shai and the Raptors being interested in him have not abated. Another down year from Sam Presti and the tank commanders in the Sooner State could force Gilgeous-Alexander’s hand.

“You keep hearing that Shai is frustrated with the losing, and so I think that’s the Toronto thing that we’ve all heard about with their interest in Shai this summer,” the executive said. It sounds like another season in the lottery might be enough to force Shai back home to Toronto.

Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Will Raps get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

Amid a torrid start in which he has averaged an incredible 31.6 points per game with solid efficiency, Gilgeous-Alexander’s price has gone up so far that Toronto may have to send OKC a Donovan Mitchell-type package in order to acquire him. Acquiring a young player who is having his best season is unlikely, but by no means improbable.

Even if Shai wasn’t performing like a superstar, Toronto’s lineup is crying out for a player like him. Gilgeous-Alexander is a taller ball-handler who can play both guard spots, defend well, shoots the lights out from 3-point range when he gets hot, and create in half-court situations. Shai is a player that Masai Ujiri would make in a lab if he could.

The Raptors are far from being no-doubt contenders at this point in time, but acquiring Gilgeous-Alexander would throw that championship window open. A big three of SGA, All-NBA performer Pascal Siakam, and Scottie Barnes, among others, would be as tough to stop as any trio in the Eastern Conference.

As much as Raptors fans want to see their team win, they should also have a keen interest in watching Oklahoma City lose. Suppose this infrastructure continues to crumble and Gilgeous-Alexander hits his breaking point. In that case, relations could deteriorate to a level where he becomes available, and the Raptors can pounce on him.