NBA Power Rankings Week 16: Rise of the Phoenix Suns

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /

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Toronto Raptors

Last Week: Beat Washington Wizards 103-101, Lost to Los Angeles Lakers 110-101, Lost to Chicago Bulls 122-113, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 135-115

This Week: 4/11 at New York Knicks, 4/13 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 4/14 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4/16 vs. Orlando Magic

The Toronto Raptors seem to only win the games needed to keep them from tanking but not doing quite enough to stay in playoff contention. The x-factor for the rest of the season is the same guy who exploded against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, Gary Trent Jr.

Trent was brought in at the trade deadline in exchange for Norman Powell and he fits the timeline of the Raptors’ younger core and showed exactly what he was capable of against the hapless Cavaliers. Trent scored 44 points on 19 shots and added in seven rebounds, four assists and a steal to help the route of Cleveland.

For the future, the Raptors will be relying on more of that from Trent. He is the 3-and-D wing they look to invest into cement the core of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby. The shooting and defensive intensity of that foursome will be hard for most Eastern Conference teams to compete with. If the offense can become something close to what it was a year ago, Toronto is going to be a tough out. This is a rebuild that can be quickly turned around with a few smart moves. Bringing in Trent was just the first step.