Ever since Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet moved on from Toronto, the Raptors haven’t really had an answer at the starting point guard position.
Immanuel Quickley has been given the chance to fill those shoes, and he has shown some flashes. There have been games where he looks like he can run an offence and take over stretches; however, the consistency just hasn’t been there. Between the injuries and the up-and-down shooting, it’s been tough for the Raps to rely on him night after night.
If the Raptors are serious about getting back into the championship conversation, finding an elite point guard is definitely a must. That’s why Stephen Curry is an interesting name to keep an eye on.
A few months ago, the idea would’ve sounded ridiculous. Now? Maybe not so much. The Warriors have spent a large part of the summer trying to land LeBron James before he ultimately chose the Philadelphia 76ers. Missing out on LeBron leaves the Warriors in an awkward spot. They’re not rebuilding, but they’re not exactly championship favourites either.
According to The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II, Curry is getting tired of watching the Warriors drift further away from title contention. At 38 years old, he doesn’t have many years left to chase another ring.
On top of that, there’s been growing chatter that Warriors owner Joe Lacob is already thinking about life after Curry. Speaking on The TK Show, Tim Kawakami said Lacob wants to build the next Warriors team rather than continue pushing all his chips in with the current one.
If that’s really the direction the franchise is heading, you have to wonder how long Curry is willing to stick around. Obviously, if Golden State ever decides to move him, he’ll have the final say.
People always talk about Curry’s connection to Charlotte because of his college career, but he has a connection with Toronto too. His dad, Dell Curry, finished his NBA career with the Raptors. Steph spent time living in Toronto as a kid, hanging around the team and growing up in the city.
From a basketball standpoint, the fit makes a lot of sense too. Scottie Barnes is one of the best two-way forwards in the league, and the same goes with Kawhi Leonard. The Raps have the right pieces.
What they don’t have is someone who completely changes the way a defence has to play. Curry does that the second he walks on the floor. He’s still one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen, and even at this stage of his career, teams panic the moment he crosses half-court.
The Warriors aren’t getting younger, and neither is Curry. If Golden State reaches the point where it decides it’s time to move in a different direction, don’t be surprised if Toronto at least checks in.