Trade rumours continue to hover over Raptors as Feb. 9 NBA deadline day approaches

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As their record continues to drop, the Raptors have a palpable feel of a broken record.

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When they show signs of turning the corner, regression takes place.

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When encouraging developments on either end of the floor are achieved, deficiencies resurface.

The book on the Raptors when this season tipped off seemed to be flush with optimism.

They’ve since been flushed down the toilet as the losses mount and hope fading.

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A season-long six-game home stand resulted in three wins against two opponents that entered Wednesday’s action each out of the play-in tournament in Charlotte and Portland.

When a current three-game road trip began on Martin Luther King Day in New York against the Knicks, the Raptors escaped with an overtime win when Jalen Brunson’s uncontested pull-up transition three-ball hit iron as time expired.

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Against a depleted Milwaukee Bucks team, the Raptors yielded 44 first-quarter points and allowed Jrue Holiday to go off for a season-high 37 points in a win by the home side.

Toronto visits Minnesota to play the host T’Wolves on Thursday when the on-court play will not overshadow the off-court speculation that continues to swirl.

The Raptors find themselves sitting at 20-25 in the bottom of the East amid the doormats.

In fact, Toronto’s six-win road total ties it for the division lead for fewest away wins with the likes of Orlando, Detroit and Charlotte.

Not good by any measurement, but then again the Raptors are not a good team, despite some stretches when they do look good.

The problems are glaring and the issues facing this edition will not be solved by one or two moves.

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With the NBA trade deadline about to kick in on Feb. 9, precisely three weeks from Thursday, the focus will be on the Raptors’ front office and what, if any moves, can and will be made.

A year ago, the Raptors dealt veteran point guard Goran Dragic to San Antonio.

Toronto also parted company with its first-round pick in exchange for veteran forward Thad Young.

While it’s true Young brought a veteran presence and steadying hand as Toronto would ultimately fall to Philly in six games of the opening round of the playoffs, Young enters Thursday’s game with five straight DNPs.

He hasn’t played in excess of 10 minutes since a home win over Phoenix on Jan. 30.

The first-round pick the Spurs used in this year’s draft turned out to be Ohio State guard Malaki Branham, who turns 20 this May.

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The kid is slowly emerging into a player and could potentially turn into a core piece for the Spurs, who seem bent on doing whatever is necessary to improve their lottery chances of drafting Victor Wembanyama.

It’s why one-time Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl is being mentioned prominently in the trade rumours, a solid piece whom Toronto jettisoned as part of the Kawhi Leonard deal that also landed DeMar DeRozan in San Antonio.

An unrestricted free agent this summer, Poeltl has reportedly caught the attention of the Boston Celtics.

How Poeltl fits in Toronto’s plans are hard to glean because no one knows what path the Raptors are likely to forge as deadline day draws nearer.

As of today, the deal to acquire Young does not look good.

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The deal to sign veteran forward Otto Porter Jr. in free agency clearly does not look good after his year in Toronto came to an abrupt end following foot surgery.

There’s no bench to speak of capable of providing a sustained level of play, far too many nights when defence becomes an afterthought, games when more bricks are heaved from distance than makes.

When one breaks down this edition of the Raptors as currently constituted, the one and only question that needs to be answered involves Feb. 9.

Nights such as Fred VanVleet lighting up the Bucks are nice, though it did come in a loss.

Games such as Monday when Scottie Barnes is finding shooters when operating out of the post provide a glimpse of the future.

OG Anunoby has gone a combined 5-for-23 in his past two games from the field, including an 0-for-4 from three-point distance in Milwaukee.

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Anunboy would look good on a competing team, a term that does not describe the Raptors.

One can make the same case for the likes of a Pascal Siakam or a Gary Trent Jr.

The possibility of the Raptors blowing this group up must always be on the table or should always be explored.

It’s why the Raptors have become the most intriguing team given the potential intrigue surrounding Feb. 9.

No one should be surprised to learn that VanVleet is reportedly being coveted by Orlando and Phoenix.

Toronto’s floor leader has a player option next season at US $22.8 million next season.

He could decline it and enter free agency if VanVleet chooses.

VanVleet has gone on record by saying he never turned down a max offer presented by the Raptors before the 2022-23 season ever tipped off.

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“There was never a formal offer made,’’ he said when reports surfaced of an offer. “It was a mutual decision made by both sides that the smart thing to do would be to wait it out.

“There was no rush given that I could still sign the extension all the way through the end of the season.”

While VanVleet was correct in saying there was no rush, the Raptors do find themselves on the clock as Feb. 9 looms.

For what it’s worth, the rumour mill has Toronto interested in Pistons three-point ace Bojan Bogdanovic, who would address an obvious weakness.

Stay tuned because the games being played pale in comparison to the board-room games among GMs and club presidents.

When it comes to potential trade chips, the Raptors are leading the league.

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