The Toronto Raptors are riding a five-game winning streak, their longest since 2022, and hope to extend it Friday night when they host the Chicago Bulls.
The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away and the Raptors are at the center of numerous trade discussions. Recent reports suggest that team president Masai Ujiri is considering significant moves to bolster the roster. Notably, the Raptors have shown interest in acquiring Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans and may facilitate a trade for Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.
With the February deadline steadily approaching, it marks the one-year anniversary of Canadian forward Kelly Olynyk being traded from the Utah Jazz in a multiple player deal to his hometown team.
“The trade deadline is hectic, especially when you know you are on the move and there is a lot of different noise and rumours … Toronto wasn’t even really in the conversation for a long time, and then it kind of came out of nowhere,” Olynyk shared exclusively with CityNews, reflecting on the trade.
“When it happened, I was super excited to come home and play in Canada in front of Canadian fans, and it’s been great to be home.”
As a kid who grew up in Scarborough, playing for Canada’s only NBA team is still a pinch-me moment for the star.
“My whole life growing up was the Raptors. Clothes, games — I would listen to it on the radio, I would pretend I was on the Raptors and shoot around in the backyard. That was my life … so it was really a full circle moment,” Olynyk said.
Another player navigating the uncertainties of the trade deadline is Bruce Brown, who has been the subject of trade rumours almost from the day was traded to the Raptors on Jan. 18, 2024, in a deal that sent Raptors champion Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers.
“Last year was super tough,” Brown said in a postgame availability about going through the trade deadline last year.
“I was saying I didn’t care, but I did. It was tough just knowing if I was going to be here or not … but now it’s just like it’s part of the business. If it happens it happens if it doesn’t, I am happy to be here,” he added, reflecting on his experiences.
One of the newest faces on the roster is Orlando Robinson who is on his second 10-day contract with the club. Before he signed the second contract, CityNews asked the centre about how he deals with the uncertainty of trying to secure a permanent spot in the NBA. He emphasized the importance of patience and faith.
“It’s just keeping a good perspective with God, just understanding His timing and just being patient … things like that make me calm down and just be in the moment,” Robinson said.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Raptors must decide whether to build on their recent success or make moves for the future. No matter what happens, the next few days could have a lasting impact on the franchise.
