NBA Rumors: Raptors "Closely Monitoring" Hometown NBA Star Player

September 28, 2022 ,

The Toronto Raptors were linked to some big-name superstars in rumors this summer, like Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell. But a much more realistic big splashy move that could eventually come to fruition, would be to convince the hometown, Toronto-born star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to join 'We The North'. 

According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN, the Raptors have him in their sights.

One of the situations they’re closely monitoring, according to a league source, is in Oklahoma City, where Toronto-born star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may eventually tire of leading a rebuild. The Thunder have gone 46-108 over the past two years and don’t seem close to turning the corner, especially after losing second-overall pick Chet Holmgren to an off-season foot injury.

Lewenberg added that the 24-year-old point guard "spent the summer playing for [Raptors coach Nick] Nurse with the Canadian men’s national team." He's still a proud Canadian, and was literally born within sight of the Scotiabank Centre. 

SGA is entering the first season of a massive 5-year, $179M extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is their franchise player. And before Raptor fans get too excited just yet, Shai was asked at Media Day if he was happy with all the losing in OKC, and he had this to say:

"I know what I signed up for when I signed a five-year extension," said Gilgeous-Alexander to The Athletic. "And I don't think we're gonna be losing for much longer. So it's not like I signed up to lose or anything.

"I believe in this team. I think we're heading in the right direction." 

SGA averaged 24.5 points, 5.9 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 56 games last season, and has improved his scoring each of his four years in the league. 

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports, Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports



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