Raptors news: Toronto’s Kevin Durant odds revealed, Lakers view Raps as “Plan B”

The Toronto Raptors were at the forefront of the Kevin Durant trade discussions in the offseason, and they could be right back in that discussions now that his partnership with Kyrie Irving is officially over. Is Masai Ujiri going to go for broke and add one of the best players ever?

After Irving was principally shipped to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, the question of Durant wanting to stay in Brooklyn without the Irving partnership to fall back on is something worth asking. The Raptors certainly have a haul of picks and players they can move off.

According to Oddschecker, the Raptors are +200 at acquiring Durant if he is traded by the Nets, giving them an implied chance of 33% to land the game-changing star. Only the Phoenix Suns, who are listed at -125 with a 56% chance at getting him, are ranked higher.

Acquiring Durant would require a major organizational philosophy shift, as they would need to move away from retooling around Scottie Barnes and move into becoming a no-doubt contender. Still, the idea of having Durant dominate like he has been with Brooklyn in a Raptors jersey is a thought that the fanbase will be giddy over.

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More Raptors news:

• After the Los Angeles Lakers missed out on acquiring Irving in a trade with the Nets, they could reportedly get involved with Toronto. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that the Raptors and Utah Jazz are considered “Plan B” trade options for Rob Pelinka. Perhaps the teams could combine on a three-team trade that sends a star to LA.
• In a discussion with Zach Lowe on the “Hoop Collective” podcast, Brian Windhorst hinted that Brooklyn and the Nets could become engaged in trade talks after Sean Marks acquired another first-round draft choice from Dallas.
• “If the Nets could flip some of this stuff that they got and pry OG Anunoby out of there, you may have something there with the Nets, but I don’t know if they’re going to be able to,” Windhorst said.”

NBA news:

• Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that Irving is “ecstatic” about leaving the Nets and joining the Mavericks despite no assurances being given either way of a long-term contract. Irving and Luka Doncic may be the most offensively spectacular duo in the NBA, but they will need to overcome some defensive questions and a wide-open West.
• Warriors superstar Steph Curry has officially been ruled out for multiple weeks after suffering tears to his superior tibiofibular ligament and interosseous membrane in his left leg. This could be a fatal blow for a Warriors team hanging on the edge of a postseason spot.