After a couple of years of dwelling in the middle of the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors decided to go in a different direction.
Before the end of the annual NBA trade deadline, the Raptors parted ways with OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, two players who were highly coveted by the rest of the league.
Toronto traded Anunoby and Siakam to the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, respectively, recouping young players and assets they can use to build around Scottie Barnes.
With a clear path forward to contention, the Raptors can use the next couple of seasons to evaluate its young talent and make moves as needed.
The 2024 NBA Draft may not be very talented at the top, but it offers plenty of depth at nearly every position.
However, it appears that Toronto might have its eyes on an intriguing prospect via Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“The Raptors are among the teams scouting Bronny James ahead of the draft,” Charania reported.
REPORT: The Raptors are among the teams scouting Bronny James ahead of the draft, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/bcfQxMr4t1
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 18, 2024
Bronny James was able to make it back to the floor after suffering a cardiac arrest last summer and has been starting recently for USC.
The Raptors’ scouting of Bronny is interesting because it could signal that they’re trying to make a run at LeBron James who has been open about wanting to play with his son.
LeBron hasn’t given any indication that he would leave the Los Angeles Lakers to follow wherever his son gets drafted, but Toronto looks like they’re doing what it needs to make them a viable landing spot for him.
NEXT: Scottie Barnes Gets Honest About His Ultimate NBA Goal