The Toronto Raptors’ fate might have been sealed.
The Raptors picked up a 116-86 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. It now puts them 3 games back of the Nets and Philadelphia 76ers in the reverse standings.
With 9 games left in the regular season, the Raptors are virtually locked into the 7th best lottery odds. They are 5.5 games up on the Miami Heat who trail them with the 8th best lottery odds.
It was always going to be tough for the Raptors to out tank the 76ers and Nets to try and nab the 5th best lottery odds. The team had the easiest remaining schedule in the league. However, the Raptors tanking strategy has been questionable to say the least.
The Raptors have been unwilling to fully commit to the tank and get ugly with it. They haven’t shut down their starters or Scottie Barnes because of the All-NBA which he likely won’t make.
Therefore, unless the Raptors get some draft lottery luck on their side they’re going to be picking No. 7 or worse at the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.
Now, all hope is not lost for the Raptors. Ironically, the last time they had the 7th best lottery odds they jumped up to the No. 4 spot in 2021 to select Barnes.
The Raptors currently have a 31.9 percent chance at jumping into the top-4. And they have a 7.5 percent chance at winning the lottery.
It’s unlikely the Raptors are going to move on up in the draft lottery race before the end of the season, so they’re going to have to hope the lottery Gods are on their side.
Raptors sign Cole Swider to 10-day contract
The Toronto Raptors are signing sharpshooter Cole Swider.
The 25-year-old forward has signed a 10-day contract with the Raptors to fill Toronto’s final roster spot, the team announced on Wednesday. Swider replaces Colin Castleton, whose second 10-day deal expired on Tuesday night.
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