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Raptors news: Siakam said Jakob Poeltl trade “bound to happen”, Goran Dragic on thin ice

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Jakob Poeltl #19 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate after they defeated the Orlando Magic in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Jakob Poeltl #19 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate after they defeated the Orlando Magic in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors fanbase has been put through a real emotional whirlwind in the last few days. After the Raptors decided to keep OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet following their acquisition of Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs, fans were a bit perturbed at the direction of this franchise.

It took Poeltl all of three games, two of which were Raptors victories, to get back in the good graces of this fanbase. Poeltl recorded 30 points on 15-17 shooting while tallying nine rebounds and six blocks in a dominant win against the Orlando Magic, putting him in an exclusive club occupied by David Robinson and Klay Thompson.

This move may have just as much of an impact off the court as on it, as the vibes in the locker room appear to be restored. Poeltl and Pascal Siakam, who came into the league as a part of the same draft class in 2016, have a very close friendship. This partnership is budding now that the trade has been consummated.

“It was something that was bound to happen, I felt like,” said Siakam.

“We were kinda talking about the what-ifs,” Poeltl said, via Josh Lewenberg of TSN. “What if it actually happens? It would be dope running it back, like the good old days. And then it actually happened.”

More Raptors news

  • Fred VanVleet moved up to sixth all-time on the Raptors all-time steals list, passing analyst Alvin Williams. No. 20 had a pretty funny reaction when he found out that FVV jumped over him. With 518 steals, VanVleet might pass Vince Carter (534) and Morris Peterson (552) before the end of this season.
  • Former Raptors guard Goran Dragic, who drew the fanbases’ ire before even playing a game with Toronto due to his “higher ambitions” quote, could be cut by the Chicago Bulls if they choose to add a point guard on the buyout market, per NBC Sports. Considering how often he taunted the Raptors after his release, fans may be thrilled to see this development come to light.

NBA news

  • One of Toronto’s biggest rivals, the Boston Celtics, have officially moved on from the Ime Udoka era and removed the interim tag from coach Joe Mazzulla. The 34-year-old Mazzulla once again has the Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference, all while navigating the tumultuous Udoka situation. it’s hard to argue against Mazzulla getting this deal.
  • The Russell Westbrook buyout market is starting to take shape, as Shams Charania is reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers have a degree of interest in signing him. While this may strike some fans as an odd move, given the recent acquisition of Bones Hyland, Westbrook has shown that he can be an effective player on a winning team in the right role.

Next. 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.0. dark

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