Speculation is high about who the Raptors are pursuing before the NBA trade deadline, but the vision is a little clearer after this report.
General manager Bobby Webster and the Toronto Raptors are closing in on the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5th. While the clock is ticking to make moves, it is yet to be determined if the Raptors will ultimately make a needle-pushing move in the next two weeks or stay put with the seventh-youngest roster in the league by minutes and usage (via NBA Age).
It has been heavily reported that the Raptors are looking for a superstar to propel their playoff and championship aspirations. These names include the likes of Ja Morant, Domantas Sabonis, and Anthony Davis, along with Trae Young before he was moved to the Washington Wizards on Jan. 9th.
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) | © Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Although it has been rare to see definitive answers for who the Raptors are pursuing, one was given for the star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies. Sportsnet reporter Michael Grange gave his insight on the situation.
"Are the Raptors in the market for Morant, the talented 26-year-old Memphis Grizzlies point guard with a long track record of injuries, suspensions and — this season, anyway — indifferent play?” said Grange. “‘No’, was the succinct answer one insider put to me.”
Morant is one of the more interesting trade prospects for Toronto and other teams around the NBA. He’s just 26 years old and already has two All-Star appearances to match an All-NBA selection and Most Improved Player of the Year Award. However, the big takeaway from the former No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is his attitude and self-portrayal.
There is no doubt that Morant is an unbelievable player today, with massive potential to follow. He has yet to play at least 60 games in a season since 2021, and he has been active for only 78 games over the last three seasons, including this year. He has suffered countless injuries to different parts of his body, but also been through multiple suspensions, both by the NBA and the Grizzlies, for different reasons.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) | © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
If it all came down to his play on the court, Morant would not be in trade talks. He would continue to be the face of the Grizzlies franchise, and frankly, they would most likely be a relevant playoff team year in and year out. Unfortunately for both Memphis and Morant, this is not the case. Because of this, Toronto, amongst other franchises, is not interested in the risk involved in trading future assets for such a questionable superstar.
Sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors reasonably should make a decision to either continue developing the young core or push for championship contention. It seems, however, that Webster is fully aware that managing to do both simultaneously will be extremely difficult. As for the answer to which path he chooses to ride with, the answer will become available on Feb. 5th, at the latest.