The Toronto Raptors entered this season with everyone thinking tanking was the mission. Things however have gone in the opposite direction. They traded Rudy Gay and many thought Kyle Lowry was next but the Raptors have been playing so well it looks like they’ll keep the young point guard and make a playoff run.
“Tank for Wiggins” was the motto with the Raptors hoping to land the No. 1 draft pick and get hometown hero Andrew Wiggins. But it’s January and the Raptors are currently 17-17 with the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference and the top of the Atlantic Division.
While trade discussions had heated up for Lowry it now seems unlikely.
For the first time, there are certifiable rumbles emanating from Toronto suggesting that the Raptors might well keep point guard Kyle Lowry for the rest of the season. Word is new GM Masai Ujiri continues to resist locking into any sort of firm position — leaving open the possibility of a Lowry deal if the offers suddenly get sweeter — but team officials appear to be growing increasingly comfortable with the idea that it’s better to go for what would be just Toronto’s third playoff berth in 13 seasons rather than try to do the absolute uber-tanking it would take from here for the 17-17 Raps to get into Andrew Wiggins range now.
