Toronto Raptors Dodge a Bullet: A What-If Scenario in 2013
Teh Toronto Raptors have a history marked by “what-if” moments, often leaving fans pondering alternate realities. But on a frigid winter night in 2013, after a 106-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, fate intervened, potentially averting a disastrous period for the Canadian franchise.
Eighteen games into the 2013-14 season, the Raptors were struggling with a 6-12 record and clinging to the hope of playoff contention.The trio of DeMar derozan, Kyle Lowry, and Rudy Gay couldn’t quite elevate the team, leading to whispers of a potential rebuild.
“We were really trying to start looking at the possibility of tearing it down,” team president Masai Ujiri revealed in the “Raptors Delight” Sportsnet documentary.Their endeavors began with a critically important move: trading Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings just days after the Lakers game, a move that signaled a potential shift in the team’s direction.
Rumors swirled that both DeRozan and Lowry could follow Gay out the door. “Me, Kyle, we made up our minds that we were kinda next,” DeRozan admitted to Sportsnet, “We both had in our mind that we were gone… It was understood, when we get off this trip, when we go back home, the deal is in place to have Kyle traded, me traded.”
The speculation around Lowry’s departure intensified as the New york Knicks were reportedly interested in acquiring the talented point guard. The Knicks, languishing at 5-14 at the time, desperately sought a playmaker to complement Carmelo Anthony, and Lowry, with his evolving skillset, seemed a perfect fit.
Adding fuel to the fires of speculation was the prospect of drafting Andrew Wiggins, a Canadian phenom, in the 2014 NBA Draft. A rebuild trajectory would have given the Raptors a shot at securing the top pick, setting them on a potentially different course.
However, fate had a different plan. While details remain shrouded in secrecy, the planned trades involving Lowry and DeRozan ultimately fell through. The Raptors, contrary to their initial inclination, maintained their core, paving the way for their future successes.
Missed Trade, Forged Destiny: How Kyle Lowry’s almost-Trade Defined the raptors
Toronto Raptors legend Kyle Lowry almost traded to the New York Knicks in 2013, a move that could’ve drastically altered the franchise’s trajectory. This near-deal was orchestrated by Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who had previously traded with the Knicks, accumulating valuable assets in the process.
Ujiri’s history of shrewd dealings with the Knicks involved acquiring young stars like Jamal Murray and Jakob Poeltl.Though,Knicks owner James Dolan blocked the Lowry trade,reportedly out of reluctance to do business with Ujiri. This decision, though stemming from Dolan’s personal bias, ultimately proved fortuitous for the Raptors.
Toronto’s subsequent success can be traced back to this pivotal moment. After a slow start to the 2013-14 season, Lowry’s continued presence in Toronto sparked a transformation. The Raptors enjoyed a winning streak, secured first place in the Atlantic Division, and reached the playoffs for the first time as 2008. This marked the beginning of a golden era for the franchise, as they clinched playoff berths for the next six seasons, culminating in their long-awaited championship in 2019.
“The whole team just changed,” said DeMar DeRozan, Lowry’s former teammate, reflecting on the team’s evolution following the aborted trade. “We kinda formed an identity.”
While speculating about choice outcomes is always engaging, Lowry’s journey with the Raptors underscores the unpredictable nature of sports. Sometimes, a seemingly negative event can lead to remarkable success.
The full story of this near-trade and its impact on the Raptors is explored in the third episode of the documentary series “Raptors Delight,” titled “The Re-birth,” which airs February 23rd on Sportsnet One.
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Toronto Raptors dodge a Bullet: A What-If Scenario in 2013
The Toronto Raptors have a history marked by “what-if” moments, often leaving fans pondering alternate realities. But on a frigid winter night in 2013, after a 106-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, fate intervened, perhaps averting a disastrous period for the Canadian franchise.
Eighteen games into the 2013-14 season, the raptors were struggling with a 6-12 record and clinging to the hope of playoff contention. The trio of DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and Rudy Gay couldn’t quite elevate the team, leading to whispers of a potential rebuild.
“We were really trying to start looking at the possibility of tearing it down,” team president Masai Ujiri revealed in the “Raptors Delight” Sportsnet documentary. Their endeavors began with a critically meaningful move: trading Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings just days after the Lakers game, a move that signaled a potential shift in the team’s direction.
Rumors swirled that both DeRozan and Lowry could follow Gay out the door. “Me, Kyle, we made up our minds that we were kinda next,” DeRozan admitted to Sportsnet, “We both had in our mind that we were gone… It was understood, when we get off this trip, when we go back home, the deal is in place to have Kyle traded, me traded.”
The speculation around Lowry’s departure intensified as the New York Knicks were reportedly interested in acquiring the talented point guard. The Knicks,languishing at 5-14 at the time,desperately sought a playmaker to complement Carmelo anthony,and Lowry,with his evolving skillset,seemed a perfect fit.
Adding fuel to the fires of speculation was the prospect of drafting Andrew Wiggins,a Canadian phenom,in the 2014 NBA Draft. A rebuild trajectory would have given the Raptors a shot at securing the top pick, setting them on a potentially different course.
However, fate had a different plan. While details remain shrouded in secrecy, the planned trades involving Lowry and DeRozan ultimately fell through. The Raptors, contrary to their initial inclination, maintained their core, paving the way for their future successes.
Missed Trade, Forged Destiny: How Kyle Lowry’s Almost-Trade Defined the Raptors
Toronto Raptors legend Kyle Lowry almost traded to the New York Knicks in 2013, a move that could’ve drastically altered the franchise’s trajectory. This near-deal was orchestrated by Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who had previously traded with the Knicks, accumulating valuable assets in the process.
Ujiri’s history of shrewd dealings with the Knicks involved acquiring young stars like Jamal Murray and Jakob Poeltl. Though, Knicks owner James Dolan blocked the Lowry trade, reportedly out of reluctance to do business with Ujiri. This decision, though stemming from Dolan’s personal bias, ultimately proved fortuitous for the Raptors.
Toronto’s subsequent success can be traced back to this pivotal moment. After a slow start to the 2013-14 season, lowry’s continued presence in Toronto sparked a conversion. The Raptors enjoyed a winning streak, secured first place in the Atlantic Division, and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008. This marked the beginning of a golden era for the franchise,as they clinched playoff berths for the next six seasons,culminating in their long-awaited championship in 2019.
“The whole team just changed,” said DeMar DeRozan, Lowry’s former teammate, reflecting on the team’s evolution following the aborted trade. “We kinda formed an identity.”
While speculating about choice outcomes is always engaging, Lowry’s journey with the Raptors underscores the unpredictable nature of sports. Sometimes, a seemingly negative event can lead to remarkable success.
The full story of this near-trade and it’s impact on the Raptors is explored in the third episode of the documentary series “Raptors Delight,” titled “The re-birth,” which airs February 23rd on Sportsnet One.
Q&A: Raptors’ Near-Trade, Rewritten Destiny
**Q: Why did the Raptors almost trade Kyle Lowry to the Knicks?**
A: After a slow start to the 2013-14 season, Raptors President masai Ujiri considered rebuilding the team. Lowry, along with demar DeRozan, was seen as a potential trade asset.
**Q: Who blocked the trade?**
A: Knicks owner James Dolan reportedly refused to trade with Masai Ujiri, citing personal reasons.
**Q: What impact did Lowry’s stay in Toronto have?**
A: Lowry’s continued presence sparked a turnaround, leading to playoff appearances, division titles, and ultimately, the Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship.
**Q: Where can I learn more about this story?**
A: Watch the third episode of the documentary series “Raptors Delight,” titled “The Re-birth,” airing February 23rd on Sportsnet One.
Dive deeper into the Raptors’ history and explore the fascinating “what-ifs” that shaped their journey to greatness.
