March 2016 Toronto Raptors Wiretap

Stephen A. Smith: DeMar DeRozan Leaving Raptors For L.A. In Offseason

Apr 18, 2016 11:55 AM

DeMar DeRozan will be a free agent this offseason coming off a career year with the Toronto Raptors.

DeRozan was the ninth overall pick in 2009 out of USC.

"He's enjoying his last days in Toronto because he'll leaving for Los Angeles in a few months anyways," said Smith of DeRozan.

While Smith doesn't specify which team from Los Angeles he predicts will sign DeRozan, it is presumably the Los Angeles Lakers given their needs on the wing and available cap space.

Stephen A. Smith/ESPN

Tags: DeMar DeRozan, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Norman Powell, Karl-Anthony Towns Win Rookies Of The Month For April

Apr 15, 2016 3:34 PM

Norman Powell and Karl-Anthony Towns have been named the NBA's Rookies of the Month for April.

In April, Powell averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 31.6 minutes in eight games (all starts). He shot .548 (40-73) from the field and paced the team in scoring four times. He led all Eastern Conference rookies in average points and three-point makes (1.9) and tied for second in steals (1.4).

The Raptors acquired Powell in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on June 25, 2015, along with a future first-round draft pick in exchange for guard Greivis Vasquez. Powell was selected by Milwaukee in the second round (46th overall) in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Towns led all qualified rookies in scoring (18.9 ppg), rebounding (11.7 rpg), blocked shots (1.71 bpg) and minutes played (35.6 mpg), while ranking fifth in field goal percentage (49.1%) and assists (3.6 apg) in April.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Award

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Masai Ujiri Wants Dwane Casey Back Next Season Regardless Of Playoff Success

Apr 14, 2016 10:53 AM

Masai Ujiri gave Dwane Casey a public statement of support as head coach of the Toronto Raptors ahead of the playoffs.

Ujiri would like Casey to continue as head coach of the Raptors even if they don't get past the first round. The Raptors were eliminated in the first round in 2014 by the Nets and in 2015 by the Wizards.

"He's been phenomenal, I think, whether it's reading games or adjustments and just growth overall as a coach," Ujiri said. "To be honest, everybody makes such a big deal about it, like, OK, if we don't go past the first round, what's going to happen? Coach Casey deserves to be the coach, that's 100 percent and I stand by that.

"He deserves to be our coach in the future because he's put in the work to bring winning to our program. Players have responded well and it's translated a little bit. We hope that it translates to the playoffs and Im very hopeful that it will because he's a defensive-minded coach. I think he's been tremendous for us."

Josh Lewenberg/TSN

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Knicks Interested In Masai Ujiri If Phil Jackson Leaves

Apr 5, 2016 11:16 PM

The decision on who becomes the next head coach of the New York Knicks could become a power struggle between Phil Jackson and James Dolan.

If Dolan makes a change at the top of the Knicks' organization, Masai Ujiri is believed to be a potential successor. Ujiri worked on the Carmelo Anthony trade when he worked for the Denver Nuggets and communicated directly with Dolan.

Ujiri also traded Andrea Bargnani to the Knicks and nearly also agreed upon a trade involving Kyle Lowry.

Ujiri was originally brought to Toronto by Tim Leiweke, former CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). Leiweke has since left Toronto and has started a business with Dolan’s business acquaintance Irving Azoff, who was influential in bringing Jackson to the Knicks. 

Ujiri is under contract for two more years so even if he wanted to leave Toronto there is no guarantee the Raptors would let him out of his deal.

Frank Isola/New York Daily News

Tags: New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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