The Toronto Raptors are reportedly trading their All-Star forward, Pascal Siakam, to the Indiana Pacers. The trade will see the Pacers sending Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks to Toronto in exchange.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors will receive a 2024 first-rounder, and a top-four protected 2026 first-rounder from the Pacers as well as a 2024 first-round selection from Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, or Los Angeles Clippers, whichever is worst.

Siakam is expected to give the talented Pacers team another stair to pair up with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner while improving their defense. The two-time All-Star is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in 2023-24.

“I’m excited that Pascal is getting a first-class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese and Myles and being coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle,” Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar said via Andscape. “His future looks bright there.”

The Raptors have been shopping Pascal Siakam ever since he declined to sign an extension with the franchise and opted to become a free agent in the summer. Multiple teams were interested in his services, including the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks. However, only the Pacers felt confident enough that they might convince Siakam to sign a long-term extension.

The Pacers are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, sitting at a 23-17 record.

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Sources have reported that the Toronto Raptors are set to appoint Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as their new head coach. After offering Rajakovic the job on Saturday, the two sides are believed to be finalizing a contract that is set to be completed soon.

Having arrived from his native Serbia in 2012 to serve as the G League head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rajakovic later advanced to the Thunder’s bench before taking on assistant coaching roles with the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies. He then climbed the ranks to become the top assistant of Grizzlies’ head coach Taylor Jenkins.

It is believed that Rajakovic engaged in a grueling process of convincing Raptors president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster why he is an appropriate hire for the head coaching role. According to the Raptors’ leadership, the team was in search of a versatile coach with the ability to mold a competitive team based on its existing roster of veterans while also nurturing young talent.

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ESPN’s analyst JJ Redick, who played for 15 seasons in NBA before retiring in 2021, is one of the candidates the Toronto Raptors are considering for their head coaching vacancy.

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick met with Raptors’ brass this week in Toronto. He is one of the dozen candidates that took part in the first round of interviews.

Toronto’s interest in Redick isn’t a surprise since he is respected in NBA circles for his basketball acumen and was courted by other teams for assistant positions in the past. However, the lack of coaching experience might work against him, considering that the Raptors are in win-now mode.

The Raptors fired head coach Nick Nurse following a disappointing 2022-23 campaign in which they missed out on the playoffs. The franchise reportedly initially wanted to replace him with former Boston Celtics’ head coach Ime Udoka, but he ended up accepting the job with the Houston Rockets.

JJ Redick played for six different NBA franchises during his career, including the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over the course of his time in NBA while being considered one of the better three-point shooters in the league.

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The Toronto Raptors announced on Friday that they had parted ways with their head coach Nick Nurse. The move comes after the Raptors endured a disappointing season that saw them finish with 41-41 and get eliminated in the Play-In tournament.

Nurse is leaving the franchise with whom he spent the previous 10 years. He served as an assistant between 2013 and 2018 before taking on the head coaching role ahead of the 2018-19 NBA season. Nurse led the Raptors to an NBA title in his first season at the helm. 

Firing Nurse comes at the point where the Raptors need to decide on the direction the franchise will take in 2023-24 and beyond. The team’s several key players, including Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl, are free agents, while All-Star Pascal Siakam is set for an extension. As currently constructed, the roster doesn’t seem capable of contending, and it will be up to President Masai Ujiri and the new head coach to decide on how to change that.

According to multiple reports, the Raptors identified ex-Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka as the main candidate to replace Nurse. They are also expected to interview Suns’ assistant Patrick Mutombo and Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse.

Nurse, on the other hand, will likely be pursued by most of the NBA teams that end up having a head coaching vacancy in the offseason. The Houston Rockets are believed to have a strong interest in reuniting with Nurse, who previously coached their affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

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After a long tenure of strict COVID-19-induced health regulations, sports teams located within the Canadian province of Ontario will be allowed to host full capacity crowds in their arenas going forward after being permitted to do so by the provincial government.

Announced by Ontario Sports Minister Lisa MacLeod on Friday, this new regulation will affect the NHL teams of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators as well as the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. This eased ruling has already taken effect.

While the number of attendees permitted at indoor sports events has been increased by the province of Ontario, there are still a number of health guidelines that will be strictly enforced on gamedays. This includes the requirement for all attendees to produce proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to gain access to the facility.

Following this latest ruling, the Vancouver Canucks are the last remaining NHL team that is not permitted to host a full-capacity crowd at home games. Currently, the province of British Columbia only allows for indoor crowds to reach a maximum of 50% capacity.

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The “Tampa Bay Raptors” are here to stay. At least until the 2020-21 NBA season wraps up.

The Raptors confirmed on Thursday that they would continue playing their home games in Tampa Bay’s Amalie Arena throughout the remainder of the current NBA season. According to the team’s announcement, the decision was made due to “ongoing border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and mindful of public safety measures in Canada.”

The Raptors were forced to find a new home after it became evident that they wouldn’t be able to play their home games in Toronto and their Scotiabank Arena this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several cities were in play as their substitute home, including Kansas City, but the organization decided to settle in Tampa Bay.

So far, the switch has been tough on the Raptors as they had a rough start of the season. They have a 12-13 record and are currently tied for No. 5 in East with the Indiana Pacers.

“Home is where the heart is, and our hearts are in Toronto,” said Raptors president Masai Ujiri. “We think often of our fans, of our Scotiabank Arena family, and all those we are missing back home, and we can’t wait until we can all be together again.”

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The Toronto Raptors have had some great players over the years, from Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to Chris Bosh and Kawhi Leonard. But it’s Fred VanVleet who now holds the franchise record for most points in a single game.

VanVleet set the record on Tuesday night, scoring an impressive 54 points in a 123-108 win against Orlando Magic. The mark to beat was 52 points, scored by DeMar DeRozan on January 1st, 2018.

What makes VanVleet’s feat even more impressive is that he needed only 23 shots from the field to get there. He was efficient from all parts of the court, making all nine free throws he attempted, drilling 11 threes out of 14 treys, and finishing the night with 17-for-23 from the game.

VanVleet now also holds the record for most points in a single game by an undrafted player, taking over from Hall of Famer Moses Malone.

“Just a special night, obviously, a lot of different levels,” said VanVleet after the game. “So just trying to enjoy it for now, but it’s not a championship or anything like that. It was a good game for me, and I’ll enjoy all the love for a couple of hours and get ready for the next one.”

Fred VanVleet signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Raptors during the offseason, and this is already turning out to be a good move for Toronto. VanVleet is enjoying a career-season, currently averaging 20.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists throughout the first 21 games of 2020-21.

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It did not take long for the Toronto Raptors to find a replacement for departed center Marc Gasol, as the team inked center Alex Len to a one-year deal.

The contract, valued at $2.3 million according to ESPN sources, brings the former fifth overall draft pick to a team that needed depth in the paint after losing Gasol and Serge Ibaka.

Their new Ukrainian big man has already spent seven years in the league with the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and most recently, the Sacramento Kings.

Len, who moved from Atlanta to Sacramento in a mid-season trade last season, only averaged 8.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 2019-20, a small step back from his 2018-19 season which saw him break the double-digit scoring mark for the first time in his career.

The veteran center, who is still only 27 years old, is expected to be Toronto’s first big man off the bench and will provide interior scoring, rebounding, and tough defense at a very low price.

Len will be tasked with playing for the first contender of his career, a move that could spark him to tap into some of his untapped potential.

The team is expected to officially announce the signing in the coming days.

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Toronto Raptors are considering calling Tampa Bay their home for 2020/21 NBA season if Canada keeps travel restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to Tampa Bay Times‘ Eduardo A. Encina, Raptors already engaged in preliminary discussions with the city officials.

If they choose Tampa Bay, Raptors would be the first NBA or WNBA basketball team in the city. They would be playing in Amalie Arena, currently the home of reigning Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning.

“Ideally, the Raptors are able to play their upcoming season in Toronto, but should that not be possible, we would have a strong interest in working to successfully meet and exceed their expectations as an alternative host,” said Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s executive director Rob Higgins about the possibility. “We’ve enjoyed our preliminary conversations with their organization and stand ready to assist if needed.”

It is important to note that the Raptors haven’t made up their mind yet and that they are considering several other options as well. Also, the team is hoping that the Canadian government might loosen its restrictions soon, enabling them to remain in Toronto. At the moment, Canada requires all “non-essential” visitors to quarantine for two weeks upon entering the country.

The new NBA season is scheduled to tip-off on December 22nd, while the teams are expected to enter training camp on December 1st.

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Toronto Raptors decided to show their appreciation for head coach Nick Nurse and award him with a new deal. The team announced on Tuesday that Nurse signed a multi-year extension with the organization, although they did not reveal the details of the agreement.

Despite losing superstar Kawhi Leonard in the offseason, Nurse managed to keep the Raptors competitive and lead them to a 53-19 record and No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference this season. Toronto had a solid showing in the playoffs as well but ended up being eliminated in seven games in the conference semis against Boston Celtics.

For his contributions to the Raptors’ form in the 2019/20 season, Nurse previously received the NBA Coach of the Year award.

“Our confidence in Nick just continues to grow, and part of that comes from what we’ve experienced together,” said Raptors’ president Masai Ujiri said in a statement. ” Nick has proved that he can coach on the court and lead in life, and we’re looking forward to accomplishing great things in the future.”

Nick Nurse built his coaching resume serving as an assistant on the college level before embarking on a series of head coaching stints in Europe. Nurse then served with several NBA G League organizations before eventually landing an assistant job with Toronto Raptors.

After the Raptors let go of Dwayne Casey, Nurse took over the head coaching positions ahead of the 2018/19 season and led the franchise to their first NBA title.  

“Toronto has been my home for the past seven years, and I look forward to it being home for many more,” said Nurse after inking the extension. “I’ve watched this franchise grow and reach the pinnacle, and I look forward to the challenge of helping us win another championship.”

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The Toronto Raptors are reportedly trading their All-Star forward, Pascal Siakam, to the Indiana Pacers. The trade will see the Pacers sending Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks to Toronto in exchange.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors will receive a 2024 first-rounder, and a top-four protected 2026 first-rounder from the Pacers as well as a 2024 first-round selection from Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, or Los Angeles Clippers, whichever is worst.

Siakam is expected to give the talented Pacers team another stair to pair up with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner while improving their defense. The two-time All-Star is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in 2023-24.

“I’m excited that Pascal is getting a first-class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese and Myles and being coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle,” Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar said via Andscape. “His future looks bright there.”

The Raptors have been shopping Pascal Siakam ever since he declined to sign an extension with the franchise and opted to become a free agent in the summer. Multiple teams were interested in his services, including the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks. However, only the Pacers felt confident enough that they might convince Siakam to sign a long-term extension.

The Pacers are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, sitting at a 23-17 record.

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Sources have reported that the Toronto Raptors are set to appoint Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as their new head coach. After offering Rajakovic the job on Saturday, the two sides are believed to be finalizing a contract that is set to be completed soon.

Having arrived from his native Serbia in 2012 to serve as the G League head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rajakovic later advanced to the Thunder’s bench before taking on assistant coaching roles with the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies. He then climbed the ranks to become the top assistant of Grizzlies’ head coach Taylor Jenkins.

It is believed that Rajakovic engaged in a grueling process of convincing Raptors president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster why he is an appropriate hire for the head coaching role. According to the Raptors’ leadership, the team was in search of a versatile coach with the ability to mold a competitive team based on its existing roster of veterans while also nurturing young talent.

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ESPN’s analyst JJ Redick, who played for 15 seasons in NBA before retiring in 2021, is one of the candidates the Toronto Raptors are considering for their head coaching vacancy.

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick met with Raptors’ brass this week in Toronto. He is one of the dozen candidates that took part in the first round of interviews.

Toronto’s interest in Redick isn’t a surprise since he is respected in NBA circles for his basketball acumen and was courted by other teams for assistant positions in the past. However, the lack of coaching experience might work against him, considering that the Raptors are in win-now mode.

The Raptors fired head coach Nick Nurse following a disappointing 2022-23 campaign in which they missed out on the playoffs. The franchise reportedly initially wanted to replace him with former Boston Celtics’ head coach Ime Udoka, but he ended up accepting the job with the Houston Rockets.

JJ Redick played for six different NBA franchises during his career, including the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over the course of his time in NBA while being considered one of the better three-point shooters in the league.

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The Toronto Raptors announced on Friday that they had parted ways with their head coach Nick Nurse. The move comes after the Raptors endured a disappointing season that saw them finish with 41-41 and get eliminated in the Play-In tournament.

Nurse is leaving the franchise with whom he spent the previous 10 years. He served as an assistant between 2013 and 2018 before taking on the head coaching role ahead of the 2018-19 NBA season. Nurse led the Raptors to an NBA title in his first season at the helm. 

Firing Nurse comes at the point where the Raptors need to decide on the direction the franchise will take in 2023-24 and beyond. The team’s several key players, including Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl, are free agents, while All-Star Pascal Siakam is set for an extension. As currently constructed, the roster doesn’t seem capable of contending, and it will be up to President Masai Ujiri and the new head coach to decide on how to change that.

According to multiple reports, the Raptors identified ex-Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka as the main candidate to replace Nurse. They are also expected to interview Suns’ assistant Patrick Mutombo and Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse.

Nurse, on the other hand, will likely be pursued by most of the NBA teams that end up having a head coaching vacancy in the offseason. The Houston Rockets are believed to have a strong interest in reuniting with Nurse, who previously coached their affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

The post Raptors Fire Head Coach Nick Nurse appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After a long tenure of strict COVID-19-induced health regulations, sports teams located within the Canadian province of Ontario will be allowed to host full capacity crowds in their arenas going forward after being permitted to do so by the provincial government.

Announced by Ontario Sports Minister Lisa MacLeod on Friday, this new regulation will affect the NHL teams of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators as well as the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. This eased ruling has already taken effect.

While the number of attendees permitted at indoor sports events has been increased by the province of Ontario, there are still a number of health guidelines that will be strictly enforced on gamedays. This includes the requirement for all attendees to produce proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to gain access to the facility.

Following this latest ruling, the Vancouver Canucks are the last remaining NHL team that is not permitted to host a full-capacity crowd at home games. Currently, the province of British Columbia only allows for indoor crowds to reach a maximum of 50% capacity.

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The “Tampa Bay Raptors” are here to stay. At least until the 2020-21 NBA season wraps up.

The Raptors confirmed on Thursday that they would continue playing their home games in Tampa Bay’s Amalie Arena throughout the remainder of the current NBA season. According to the team’s announcement, the decision was made due to “ongoing border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and mindful of public safety measures in Canada.”

The Raptors were forced to find a new home after it became evident that they wouldn’t be able to play their home games in Toronto and their Scotiabank Arena this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several cities were in play as their substitute home, including Kansas City, but the organization decided to settle in Tampa Bay.

So far, the switch has been tough on the Raptors as they had a rough start of the season. They have a 12-13 record and are currently tied for No. 5 in East with the Indiana Pacers.

“Home is where the heart is, and our hearts are in Toronto,” said Raptors president Masai Ujiri. “We think often of our fans, of our Scotiabank Arena family, and all those we are missing back home, and we can’t wait until we can all be together again.”

The post Raptors Will Play in Tampa Bay for Remainder of 2020-21 NBA Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Toronto Raptors have had some great players over the years, from Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to Chris Bosh and Kawhi Leonard. But it’s Fred VanVleet who now holds the franchise record for most points in a single game.

VanVleet set the record on Tuesday night, scoring an impressive 54 points in a 123-108 win against Orlando Magic. The mark to beat was 52 points, scored by DeMar DeRozan on January 1st, 2018.

What makes VanVleet’s feat even more impressive is that he needed only 23 shots from the field to get there. He was efficient from all parts of the court, making all nine free throws he attempted, drilling 11 threes out of 14 treys, and finishing the night with 17-for-23 from the game.

VanVleet now also holds the record for most points in a single game by an undrafted player, taking over from Hall of Famer Moses Malone.

“Just a special night, obviously, a lot of different levels,” said VanVleet after the game. “So just trying to enjoy it for now, but it’s not a championship or anything like that. It was a good game for me, and I’ll enjoy all the love for a couple of hours and get ready for the next one.”

Fred VanVleet signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Raptors during the offseason, and this is already turning out to be a good move for Toronto. VanVleet is enjoying a career-season, currently averaging 20.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists throughout the first 21 games of 2020-21.

The post Fred VanVleet Sets Raptors Record with 54 Points Against Orlando appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It did not take long for the Toronto Raptors to find a replacement for departed center Marc Gasol, as the team inked center Alex Len to a one-year deal.

The contract, valued at $2.3 million according to ESPN sources, brings the former fifth overall draft pick to a team that needed depth in the paint after losing Gasol and Serge Ibaka.

Their new Ukrainian big man has already spent seven years in the league with the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and most recently, the Sacramento Kings.

Len, who moved from Atlanta to Sacramento in a mid-season trade last season, only averaged 8.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 2019-20, a small step back from his 2018-19 season which saw him break the double-digit scoring mark for the first time in his career.

The veteran center, who is still only 27 years old, is expected to be Toronto’s first big man off the bench and will provide interior scoring, rebounding, and tough defense at a very low price.

Len will be tasked with playing for the first contender of his career, a move that could spark him to tap into some of his untapped potential.

The team is expected to officially announce the signing in the coming days.

The post C Alex Len Agrees to Deal with Toronto Raptors appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Toronto Raptors are considering calling Tampa Bay their home for 2020/21 NBA season if Canada keeps travel restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to Tampa Bay Times‘ Eduardo A. Encina, Raptors already engaged in preliminary discussions with the city officials.

If they choose Tampa Bay, Raptors would be the first NBA or WNBA basketball team in the city. They would be playing in Amalie Arena, currently the home of reigning Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning.

“Ideally, the Raptors are able to play their upcoming season in Toronto, but should that not be possible, we would have a strong interest in working to successfully meet and exceed their expectations as an alternative host,” said Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s executive director Rob Higgins about the possibility. “We’ve enjoyed our preliminary conversations with their organization and stand ready to assist if needed.”

It is important to note that the Raptors haven’t made up their mind yet and that they are considering several other options as well. Also, the team is hoping that the Canadian government might loosen its restrictions soon, enabling them to remain in Toronto. At the moment, Canada requires all “non-essential” visitors to quarantine for two weeks upon entering the country.

The new NBA season is scheduled to tip-off on December 22nd, while the teams are expected to enter training camp on December 1st.

The post Raptors Consider Playing in Tampa Bay if Canada Keeps Travel Restrictions appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Toronto Raptors decided to show their appreciation for head coach Nick Nurse and award him with a new deal. The team announced on Tuesday that Nurse signed a multi-year extension with the organization, although they did not reveal the details of the agreement.

Despite losing superstar Kawhi Leonard in the offseason, Nurse managed to keep the Raptors competitive and lead them to a 53-19 record and No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference this season. Toronto had a solid showing in the playoffs as well but ended up being eliminated in seven games in the conference semis against Boston Celtics.

For his contributions to the Raptors’ form in the 2019/20 season, Nurse previously received the NBA Coach of the Year award.

“Our confidence in Nick just continues to grow, and part of that comes from what we’ve experienced together,” said Raptors’ president Masai Ujiri said in a statement. ” Nick has proved that he can coach on the court and lead in life, and we’re looking forward to accomplishing great things in the future.”

Nick Nurse built his coaching resume serving as an assistant on the college level before embarking on a series of head coaching stints in Europe. Nurse then served with several NBA G League organizations before eventually landing an assistant job with Toronto Raptors.

After the Raptors let go of Dwayne Casey, Nurse took over the head coaching positions ahead of the 2018/19 season and led the franchise to their first NBA title.  

“Toronto has been my home for the past seven years, and I look forward to it being home for many more,” said Nurse after inking the extension. “I’ve watched this franchise grow and reach the pinnacle, and I look forward to the challenge of helping us win another championship.”

The post Toronto Raptors and Head Coach Nick Nurse Agree to an Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.