Last Week: Lost to Chicago Bulls 118-95, Lost to Detroit Pistons 116-112, Lost to Utah Jazz 115-112
This Week: 3/21 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 3/22 at Houston Rockets, 3/24 vs. Denver Nuggets, 3/26 vs. Phoenix Suns
Norman Powell
With reports surrounding Kyle Lowry growing increasingly loud that he will not be moved before Thursday’s deadline, the focus should shift to upcoming unrestricted free agent Norman Powell. Powell has been explosive of late, scoring 30 or more points five times in his last eight games. With a big payday in his future, it would behoove the Raptors to get something for him now.
Powell has been truly impressive so far in his contract year. He is averaging a career-high in scoring and posting a line of 19.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His efficiency is off the charts, with shooting splits of .498/.448/.870. As a pure scorer, it will be tough to find a better option on the market this offseason, making the upcoming contract offers seem even more lucrative.
Powell does not do much else on the offensive end, as evidenced by his performance against the Pistons. He dropped 43 points and with zero assists. His individual dominance was not enough to stop the team’s struggles since struggling with health and safety issues. The Raptors should be pivoting into the next era, moving on from Lowry and Powell before free agency. For fans of a certain fanbase in the city of brotherly love, perhaps the Raptors will change their mind.