The Toronto Raptors are all in for the playoffs and they have every reason to be, seeing as a successful playoff run could be the difference in pitching Kawhi Leonard on a long-term stay when his contract expires in the summer. At the NBA’s trade deadline, they traded for a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year, Marc Gasol, in their efforts to bolster the roster.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, however, Gasol wasn’t the only big name that the Raptors were pursuing. In a video report posted to YouTube, Woj reports that that the Raptors were in negotiations for Nikola Mirotic (who was ultimately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for four second-round picks), while also being named to Kristaps Porzingis’ wishlist.
There’s a lot to dissect here! Mirotic, a prolific three-point shooter at the power forward position, has had a career year with the New Orleans Pelicans. At the age of 27, he’s in the middle of his prime, unlike the 34-year-old Gasol. That being said, Gasol may be a better fit next to Pascal Siakam as a natural center.
Porzingis is of course the spicier name, but it’s unclear if the Raptors were ever seriously involved in negotiations with the Knicks. He’s a 23 year old All-Star who well reflects the modern NBA game, but he’s unlikely to play at all this season due to an ACL tear last year and so he may not have been a fit for the Raptors’ win-now timetable. That said, though, it’s always assuring to see that superstars do respond to coherent team-building strategies, not just market size.
There can always be a ‘what if?’ at the end of the day, if the had Raptors made a move for Mirotic or even Porzingis instead of Gasol, but Gasol was the guy they went with. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see how he fits with his new team, but the Raptors are already enthusiastic about what the big man can add.
h/t YouTube/ESPN
