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NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

By Corey Rausch

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NBA trade deadline (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

team. 81. . 18-27. Previous: 21st. Toronto Raptors. 24

Last Week: Lost to Cleveland Cavaliers 116-105, Lost to Houston Rockets 117-99, Beat Denver Nuggets 135-111, Lost to Phoenix Suns 104-100

This Week: 3/28 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 3/29 at Detroit Pistons, 3/31 at Oklahoma City Thunder, 4/2 vs. Golden State Warriors

After significant speculation (and what is now a bizarre post-game evening heading into the deadline), Kyle Lowry is still a Toronto Raptor. All sources indicate the Raptors were weighing options up to the deadline but ultimately the desired return was too rich for the suitors’ taste. However, this does not mean the Toronto Raptors were not active on Thursday.

Matt Thomas and Terrence Davis were moved to the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings for future second-round picks each. Neither of them were major impact players and freed up roster spots for the buyout market if that is the route the Raptors choose to go. It also helped with the two-for-one trade that really caught fans’ eyes.

Norman Powell was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood. Powell is a pending free agent and is having the best season of his career. It would have been nigh impossible for the Raptors to re-sign him this offseason so bringing a young, cheaper player in Trent is logical. Trent has shown flashes as a dogged defender and has hit some big shots, specifically in the postseason last year. Hood may just be the salary needed to get it done but if he is able to stay healthy he is a useful player for the team as well.

The Raptors seem to be trying to make one final playoff push with the remaining core from the title team. Lowry finishing out his contract in Tampa may also be essential to fixing whatever issues exist between Nick Nurse and Pascal Siakam.