The NBA teams still have a lot to sweat off for this season since the playoffs are still far from starting. Team lineups are now being improved and the superstars are constantly being the subjects of recent NBA trade rumors. After being linked to the Cavaliers, the Warriors, and the Bulls earlier this month, Anthony Davis is now being speculated to hop in the Toronto Raptors roster in a five-player deal.
The regular season is not even half finished, but things are now heating up for the different competing teams. With the Cavs and the Raptors in a tight fight for the top position in the Eastern Conference, the latter is proposed to take in a higher caliber player and Davis is said to be their top target. The Pelicans power forward is not yet on the list of players eligible for the Dec. 15 trade but he is said to be the Raptors' top bet to sign this season.
The Toronto Raptors are not far behind the Eastern Conference standing with 11 wins and 6 losses, but taking the overall standing, the team is sitting only on the fifth spot. For the team to leap to a higher position and outplay the Cavs, the Raptors have to improve their defense to topple the undeniably excellent front court players of the Cavs.
The Cavs are the biggest competition for the Raptors as they are now the leading team on the East. The Raptors fell short during last season's Eastern Conference Finals where the Cavs took the top place and played for the championship. This season, the Raptors are aiming to change their fate and take their revenge against the Cavs, hence their plans of bringing together this season's best players.
The Cavs have three of the arguably best front court players in the league - LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. These three are making good numbers since the start of the season which has basically placed them on Eastern Con's number one position. Kevin Love is currently averaging with 22.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Kyrie Irving, on the other hand, is making 24.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Finally, the top one player of the league, James, is making an average of 23.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.7 assists. With these figures, it is obvious how the Cavs have invested in their offensive play.
For the Raptors to topple down the Cavs and other teams inside the court, they have to invest in their defense and rim protection. With that said, Davis caught the interest of the Raptors as the 23-year-old superstar is considered as one of the best rim protectors in the league.
The Raptors have Jona Valanciunas, Lucas Nogueira and Jakob Peoltl for centers, but they recently let go of a good backup center through Bismack Biyombo who is now playing for the Magic. Davis is then expected to lead the team on rim protection. Apart from that, Davis' strong offensive presence is said to intimidate competing teams that might just benefit the Raptors in their next games.
Apart from their centers, the Raptors have impeccable players with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, being one of the best back court players. DeRozan is having his breakout this season, making a flashing 30.2 points in their games, 5.3 average rebounds and 4.1 assists. Davis, on the other hand, is recording an average of 31.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
For the Pelicans to give away their power forward, the Raptors are willing to give Terrence Ross, DeMarre Carroll, Valanciunas along with a first round draft pick. These players are said to be versatile on front court play which the Pelicans need to improve their game. Since Davis is more of a rim protector than a font court player, the Pelicans are theorized to benefit from the deal suggestion.
Davis is arguably one of the top players in the league now, but the Pelicans are falling far behind. Talks even have it that the games of the Pelicans are played alone by Davis, getting only so little help from his mates.
With this situation that he is enduring from his team, the three-time NBA All-Star player is now rumored to demand a trade and find a better team that can support him with his career. However, Davis has been declaring the contrary as he recently said he wants to focus on improving with his team rather than giving in to the rumors that he is currently involved in.
