• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Cold Wire

  • Home
  • Sports News
  • NFL
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Carolina Panthers
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Denver Broncos
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • New England Patriots
    • New Orleans Saints
    • New York Giants
    • New York Jets
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Washington Commanders
  • MLB
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Houston Astros
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • Miami Marlins
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Minnesota Twins
    • New York Mets
    • New York Yankees
    • Oakland Athletics
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    • Seattle Mariners
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Texas Rangers
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    • Washington Nationals
  • NBA
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Houston Rockets
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • Miami Heat
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • New York Knicks
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Orlando Magic
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Portland Trailblazers
    • Sacramento Kings
    • San Antonio Spurs
    • Toronto Raptors
    • Utah Jazz
    • Washington Wizards
  • Entertainment
  • About

The Cold Wire

Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, TV, Tech ...

  • Home
  • Sports News
  • NFL
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Carolina Panthers
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Denver Broncos
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • New England Patriots
    • New Orleans Saints
    • New York Giants
    • New York Jets
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Washington Commanders
  • MLB
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Houston Astros
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • Miami Marlins
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Minnesota Twins
    • New York Mets
    • New York Yankees
    • Oakland Athletics
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    • Seattle Mariners
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Texas Rangers
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    • Washington Nationals
  • NBA
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Houston Rockets
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • Miami Heat
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • New York Knicks
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Orlando Magic
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Portland Trailblazers
    • Sacramento Kings
    • San Antonio Spurs
    • Toronto Raptors
    • Utah Jazz
    • Washington Wizards
  • Entertainment
  • About
You are here: Home / Sports / NBA / The Raptors Should Stay The Course And Say No To Kevin Durant

The Raptors Should Stay The Course And Say No To Kevin Durant

Avatar photo
August 23, 2022
By Robert Marvi
@robmarv01
Leave a Comment
Follow Robert Marvi on Google News Follow Us

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors follows through on a shot over Georges Niang #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

 

Although things have been slow to develop when it comes to a Kevin Durant trade, there have been plenty of rumors floating around all summer long.

Several teams have been rumored to be interested in acquiring him, including the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors.

According to @ShamsCharania, after superstar SF-PF Kevin Durant's initial trade request, the #Nets had trade talks with almost every team in the league. The #Celtics, #Raptors, and #Heat remain the most significant candidates.

— Kyle Cohen (@kylecohenNBA) August 12, 2022

There is an argument to be made that none of those teams necessarily need Durant, as they’re all already championship contenders as is, with the exception of the Raptors.

One would likely respond to that by saying that of all those teams, the Raptors actually do need Durant.

Even if that is true, it could also be argued that trading for Durant would actually make Toronto worse off, and therefore, it should keep going on the path it is currently on.

 

The Raptors Have Something Promising Going On

Three years ago, Toronto won the NBA championship just months after trading for superstar forward Kawhi Leonard, knowing very well he was a year away from becoming a free agent.

Sure enough, Leonard left Canada in the summer of 2019 and joined the Los Angeles Clippers.

But luckily, executive Masai Ujiri had built a young and strong supporting cast around him that remained.

The Raptors went into the 2019-20 campaign with Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, all of whom are still in their 20s right now.

Since then, they have also added Gary Trent Jr., who put up 18.3 points per game last season.

Then there is Scottie Barnes, the reigning Rookie of the Year.

Barnes is 6-foot-9 and nearly 230 pounds, and he has shown off a nice all-around skill set on both ends of the floor.

Scottie Barnes in his second NBA game
25 points
13 rebounds
11-17 from the field
1-2 from downtown
He is Special
pic.twitter.com/CWfKpJenZD

— 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙩 🦖 (@OwnHimKawhi) August 21, 2022

He averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the field, and if he greatly improves his outside shooting (he made just 30.1 percent of his 3-point attempts), he could be a serious difference-maker.

The Raptors surprised many by finishing with a 48-34 record and claiming the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, as many had expected them to miss the playoffs.

Instead, if Barnes’ ceiling is considerably higher than what we saw last season, they could have a future no one could’ve imagined just 10 months ago.

 

Toronto Would Likely Have To Give Up The Farm For Durant

The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly been asking for a boatload of assets in return for Durant, and if that asking price is met, it would greatly weaken the depth of the team that trades for him.

It seems probable the Nets would demand Barnes in any such deal, which would mean Toronto would be giving up its future for Durant.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP is nearing his 34th birthday, and after tearing his Achilles three years ago, he has had trouble staying healthy, as he has appeared in just 90 games over the past two seasons.

Instead of mortgaging their future for perhaps a couple good years out of Durant, the Raptors should simply build on what they have right now and accumulate more assets.

    Get ALL the latest NBA news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cold Wire NBA newsletter here!    

Filed Under: NBA, Toronto Raptors Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: Toronto Raptors

Avatar photo

About Robert Marvi

Robert is a Los Angeles-area native and has been an avid NFL and NBA fan since he was a little kid. He feels strongly that pro sports aren't just a form of entertainment, but also a great way to learn life lessons and find inspiration.

Suggest a correction

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow The Cold Wire!

More Toronto Raptors News

O.G. Anunoby #3 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors speak during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on December 19, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Raptors Get Tantalizing Offer For Their Forward

3 days ago

Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates his three point shot during the second half at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2023 in New York City. The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 123-121 in overtime.

Raptors Star Makes A Big Career Choice

3 days ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on November 07, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Young Raptors Star Had A Great Stretch Of Games

7 days ago

Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates his three point shot during the second half at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2023 in New York City. The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 123-121 in overtime.

Is It Time For The Raptors To Start Over?

1 week ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors tries to get by RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2023 in New York City. The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 123-121 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

NBA Legend Has High Praise For Scottie Barnes

1 week ago

Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates his three point shot during the second half at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2023 in New York City. The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 123-121 in overtime.

Multiple Teams Are Looking At A Raptors Star

1 week ago

CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 23, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

NBA Star Talks About Major Raptors Rumor

2 weeks ago

Otto Porter Jr. #32 of the Toronto Raptors warms up ahead of their NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on October 19, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

Raptors Get An Update On One Of Their Biggest Stars

2 weeks ago

Scottie Barnes #4 celebrates with Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors as Trent Jr. hits a three-point shot to send their NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks to overtime at Scotiabank Arena on January 4, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

The Raptors Pulled Off An Unbelievable Feat On Wednesday Night

3 weeks ago

An NBA logo is shown at the 5th Avenue NBA store on March 12, 2020 in New York City. The National Basketball Association said they would suspend all games after player Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz reportedly tested positive for the Coronavirus

NBA Analyst Believes 1 NBA Team Will Be Sellers At Trade Deadline

1 month ago

OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 19, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

Raptors Player Is Aiming For A Coveted NBA Award

3 months ago

Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball as Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the second half at Barclays Center on October 21, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 109-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

3 Reasons To Watch The Toronto Raptors This Season

3 months ago

Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Centre Bell on October 14, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The Story Of Fred VanVleet Is An Inspiring One

3 months ago

Fred VanVleet #23 and Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Fred VanVleet Explains His Humorous Leadership Skills

3 months ago

OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a call against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on October 07, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

NBA Insider Believes The Raptors Could Have A Huge Year

3 months ago

The Toronto Raptors logo decal at center court before the game against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Raptors Are Reportedly Looking To Bring A Local Star Home

4 months ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks to pass over Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Raptors 113-99.

The Raptors' Young Superstar Promises To Get Even Better

5 months ago

Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pascal Siakam Continues To Expand His Game

6 months ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks to pass over Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Raptors 113-99.

The Raptors Shouldn't Trade Scottie Barnes For Kevin Durant

7 months ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors follows through on a shot over Georges Niang #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

The Raptors Should Take A Swing At Trading For A Star

8 months ago

Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors signals against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Nick Nurse Is Keeping The Raptors Confident After Early Deficit

9 months ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a slam dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Why Scottie Barnes Is This Season's Rookie Of The Year

10 months ago

Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on April 01, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

Are The Raptors Capable Of Producing A Playoff Upset?

10 months ago

Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scottie Barnes Not Done Proving His Rookie Of The Year Case

11 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search The Cold Wire

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Editorial Guidelines

Contact Us

Sitemap

Advertise

Follow us on

Copyright © 2023  ColdWireMedia · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ·TheColdWire.com

Suggest a Correction

The Raptors Should Stay The Course And Say No To Kevin Durant

1000 characters remaining