Report: Raptors' Norman Powell has 'really emerged' as trade candidate

While it appears Kyle Lowry will remain in Toronto through the end of the 2020-21 season, another Raptors star has reportedly emerged as a trade candidate. 

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst (h/t Bleacher Report), Norman Powell "has really emerged in the last few days" as the Raptors are "trying to decide what to do going forward this season and into the future."

Powell is in the midst of his best season in the NBA, averaging a career-high 19.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 44.8% from deep. 

Unfortunately, Powell's improvement hasn't been enough to help the Raptors, who have lost seven in a row and sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-24 record. 

The 27-year-old is a prime trade candidate because he can become a free agent during the offseason if he declines his $11.6 million player option.

However, the Raptors could also opt to keep him and try to work out an extension during the offseason. Though, if an extension doesn't work out and Powell walks away, Toronto will be left with nothing for the UCLA product, which isn't ideal.