Raptors in the middle of draft-day rumours

The Toronto Raptors are at the centre of some trade-rumour scuttlebutt.

The Raptors don’t have a pick in Thursday night’s NBA draft, but Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Canada’s NBA franchise is trying to trade into the draft, and has its eye on Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Kentucky point guard is a projected lottery pick, but it appears he hasn’t worked out for any NBA team suggesting he already has a promise from an NBA team. Mock drafts have Gilgeous-Alexander going to the Los Angeles Clippers, who have both the No. 12 and 13 picks.

Stein tweeted Monday: “Draft scuttle: Hearing Toronto is exploring all of its trade options in hopes of assembling a deal to acquire a draft pick high enough to select Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”

The 19-year-old from Hamilton has impressive length at six foot six with a 611 wingspan, and is strong on both ends of the floor. He initially came off the bench in his one season with the Wildcats but played himself into a starting role.

Any interest in Gilgeous-Alexander raises questions about whether Toronto might deal starting point guard Kyle Lowry. Nick Nurse raved about Lowry when the Raptors introduced him as their next head coach last week. The Raptors also have Delon Wright at point guard, and would love to re-sign Fred Van Vleet, who is a restricted free agent this off-season.

Justin Jackson, whose sophomore season at Maryland was cut short by a shoulder injury, is the other Canadian in this year’s draft. He’s projected as a late second-round pick.