In the absence of injured veteran point guard Kyle Lowry, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has provided Toronto a glimpse of the next era of its core leadership, per Dave Feschuk of The Toronto Star. The 34-year-old Lowry has served as the longtime emotional center driving Toronto. He will be an unrestricted free agent when the season ends. The Raptors have posted an encouraging 16-2 record without Lowry over the past two seasons.
VanVleet has averaged 22.0 PPG and 7.1 APG across 15 Raptors games without Lowry during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, Feschuk goes on to note.
“Any time a guy goes down, it’s that next-man-up mentality that we have always had around here and something that I have tried to continue to do is just increase my level of play when he’s out,” VanVleet said of adjusting to the absence of his current Raptors backcourt mate. “I thought the entire team just picked it up a notch when he went down and that’s what you like to see.”
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- A strained left hamstring will continue to sideline Nets All-Star forward Kevin Durant as Brooklyn takes on the Lakers in a TNT bout tonight, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets that the other injured Nets All-Star, guard Kyrie Irving, will be returning to action for Brooklyn tonight. Irving missed the Nets’ latest game, a 128-124 thriller against the Suns on Tuesday night, due to a lower back injury.
- Now that the Cavaliers have established they are officially benching center Andre Drummond ahead of a trade or possible buyout, the Knicks should consider adding the big man to their ranks via trade, argues Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman notes that New York considered trading for Drummond last season before he was ultimately shipped to Cleveland by the Pistons.
- The Raptors are recalling rookie point guard Malachi Flynn from their G League affiliate, Raptors 905, per Blake Murphy of The Athletic (via Twitter). Murphy adds that Flynn is available to play for the club tonight (Twitter link) in its current contest against the Bucks.
If Drummond gets bought out and the Celtics manage to bring him in that would be a HUGE boost to their team. It would also allow them to use their TPE on a 6th man type instead of a center and with both Drummond and a JJ Reddick type… they would immediately boost their team into a legitimate contender in the eastern conference. Of course… the chances that Drummond is bought out and not traded probably aren’t great… and even then he’d have to chose to go to Boston. BUT the fit would be ideal I would think… one can dream anyway… right!?
He wants to play in BROOKLYN
1 can def dream but I dont want my front office living on dreams….buyout comes after trade deadline….I wouldn’t be putting all my eggs…
I think you can pretty much pre-order a Nets Drummond jersey. Not much chance of someone trading for him, or it would have happened already. It’d be hilarious if the Cavs got another pick swapping Drummond back to the Pistons for Griffin. I doubt that happens & I doubt Detroit deals any assets for a while. Cap hell for one season isn’t too bad on a young developing team like the Pistons.
I think a trade is found somewhere (maybe its just hope) but agree Jersey would be the #1 spot
Just heard too many fanbases holding their breath here for help in the middle in Drummond for free
Agree If Im Det I just eat the money…next year is not going to be the year neyways
Cleveland has their 2nd, they have already been paid & moved on from Drummond. If anyone is lookikg to get soemthing for free in this deal still, its the CLE FO in my opinion.
Drummond stunk in DET & he stinks now. I would have rather had 30 million in cap space this season. Could have used it to land a 1st pretty easily.
Knox & Nkilitina would make that happen. Drummond off the bench behind Mitch could be useful in a playoff berth.
NYK might even get a 2nd if they in turn traded Noel
Drummond if bought out will go the Nets. There is no doubt about that. Celtics should Trade for bamba. He fits on the KanterTPE.
i think the mavs are the perfect fit for andrei drummond…
if he is bought out, then that would be his choosing, which teams he prefers…
Knicks don’t need a C, as they already having 2 one position C’s. Drummond will likely be bought out and available as a minimum wage rental. In light of these facts, Berman suggests the Knicks should trade for Drummond, so they can give up assets for no reason. Pretty typical.
3 team trade
Philly gets Lowry + Cleveland second round pick
Cleveland gets Tobias Harris
Toronto gets Drummond + Philly 1st round pick
Philly says no
Why? Even an aging Kyle Lowry gives the Sixers a legitimate PG, which could get them into the ECF for the first time in 20 years.
Because Tobias Harris is better than Kyle Lowry.
And 6-7 years younger than Lowry
And under contract beyond this year
At this point I think it’s pretty safe to say Harris-Curry-Simmons-Embiid are probably staying put. The team finally looks like a contender, so not sure what the impetus would be to shake up the core
If I trade Lowry it’s gonna be to get me Lavine in return… You know a go two allstar caliber player who can will you to a win. Not a fringe allstar who still can’t even be considered for allstar status!
Bulls say nfw
Would need to make that second a first from Cleveland for starters, perhaps one of each. Cleveland getting Harris for just Drummond and a second? Probably need multiple picks, or another player useful to Philly.
Toronto needs better reason to bid Lowry adieu than a semi competent Drummond and a late first rounder. If it could be reverse protected to fall somewhere in 10-20 range, they likely do it.
I’ve had this idea for awhile, I really think it would work out well
Not Tobias he’s playing well. But I liked to see Lowry end his career in Philly.
Yeah it would be tough for someone to trade for Drummond. Knicks gave cap space but they don’t need him. This guy Berman killed Randle for two yrs. Now he thinks Drummond n Randle is worth a shot. How about giving rebuilding a shot Berman. The time to get Drummond was last yr. Could of gotten him for nothing. He could have mentored Mitch. And given him more time to develop (2-3 yrs). That time has passed. He needs to start and play now. Drummond you trade for if you plan on resigning him. Only Charlotte, Dallas, Toronto I think would do that. All could do it, even with third team. (he gets bought out then contenders will want him). All those 3 teams rise in the standings with Drummond. And all are legit playoff teams in future with him signed. So I could see him joining a team he has a future with. It’s nice to be wanted especially when your only 27. Drummond case I find very interesting.
Drummond is interesting bc he’s improved his FT% to 60%ish so he’s actually playable late in the game now. That was a big knock against him a few yrs ago.
If Brooklyn gets him off a buyout it’s lights out IMO.
Could be tempting for NYK but I’d pass – bc even if they resign him, it’s gonna be a big contract that extends into his 30s. Look across the river at DJ, the rim runners don’t always age that well. Not worth jeopardizing cap space. And definitely not worth it as a rental, unless for some reason he wants to sign a vet min post buyout w/ NYK but that’s prob a looong shot.
When Harden is having big impact. It’s usually ast or huge scoring. He gives teammates gd looks, game is easier. Doing that tonight. When he is unselfish offensively he is tough. Lakers D not there tonight and they miss AD. After that Suns gm, Nets making statement tonight lols.
schroder was out, too, so that was really a tough one for this lakers team vs. the nets…
Raptors should trade Lowry now and at least get something back. He has value and they’re not winning this year. Let the young guys cook and Freddy flintone lead.
How much help does the sixers really need? You got shooters again, which they shouldn’t have traded away in the first place years ago…Doc is coaching his son in law, Seth is showing he’s the third most important player on the team and they are the #1 seed… For fans that bash Bron for teaming up it’s hypocritical that y’all want every single good player!
Lowry prob going to the Pelicans for Ball and maybe a pick? Think that’s fair. Ball can feed Fred and Lowry can give NO some shooting / leadership.
I agree with you but this is relatively new that Philly fans have been acting like this. Usually its the Celtics fans that act like this and they still do.
I agree with you but this is relatively new that Philly fans have been acting like this. Usually its the Celtics fans that act like this and they still do.