The Toronto Raptors have made up some ground on the Memphis Grizzlies for the 6th worst record in the NBA.
Just when it looked like the Raptors were pushing for the Play-In Tournament they suffered injuries to both Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl. Both players have had surgery and are out indefinitely.
After their first three-game winning streak of the season, Toronto has since lost 4 of 5.
During this stretch the Grizzlies have started to win some games and are coming off back-to-back victories.
As things stand right now, Toronto is just 1 game up on Memphis for the 6th worst record in the league.
If the Raptors finish the season with the 6th worst record, it will give them a 45 percent chance to keep their 2024 first-round pick. The pick is owed to the San Antonio Spurs, but it is top-6 protected.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has already made it clear that he wants his players to play hard and a few weeks ago he said they are focused on the play-in.
However, given the injuries to this team it will be awfully tough for the Raptors to win games from here on out.
If the Raptors keep losing and the Grizzlies surprisingly keep winning then Toronto could give themselves a solid chance of keeping their pick for this year’s draft.
The Raptors will have to pay up to the Spurs eventually. If not conveyed this year then the Spurs will own the Raptors 2025 first-round pick (top-6 protected).
Given how the season has fallen apart with injuries for this Toronto team, it might make the most sense for them to tank the rest of the way.
Next up for Raptors
The Raptors will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on March 9.
Portland currently has a 5-game cushion on Toronto for the league’s 5th-worst record.
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