Raptors Announce New NFT Collection

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The Toronto Raptors will post six brand new NFTs for sale on July 23rd giving fans exclusive opportunities to interact with the team

The Toronto Raptors have unveiled a new surprise: a set of six NFTs (non-fungible tokens).

Late last week, Raptors social media posted a cryptic key and the date July 23rd, 2021. It came with no explanation leading to all sorts of crazy theories about what it could possibly mean.

Well, it’s nothing too crazy. The organization will release six official NFTs. Each key will unlock “exclusive perks, from first look access, signed game worn memorabilia and curated VIP experiences,” according to the team. A portion of the proceeds raised from each key will be donated to the MLSE’s Foundation’s ‘Change the Game’ Initiative.

Raptors NFTs Raptors

Raptors NFTs

The six keys sold will represent every aspect of the organization. “The City” key will represent Toronto, “The Team” key will represent the organization and everything that goes into making the Raptors who they are behind the scenes, “The Players” key will allow fans to experience what it’s like playing for the Raptors, “The Past” key will look back on what the past 27 years have been like for the organization, “The Future” key will allow fans to experience part of Toronto’s next championship hunt, and finally “The Game” key will give fans an on-court experience.

The six keys will be auctioned off starting on Friday, July 23 at 6 p.m. with the auction closing on Wednesday, July 28 at 6 p.m.

Mock Draft: Raptors select USC’s Evan Mobley

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There appears to be a shakeup atop some of the most recent NBA mock drafts that should favor the Toronto Raptors later this month.

For months, the projected draft order had Cade Cunningham going first overall followed by Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, and Jalen Suggs. Now, things appear to have changed a little bit. Vegas has Green favored to go second followed by Mobley and Suggs, respectively, and Yahoo’s newly released mock draft by Krysten Peek looks even more favorable for Toronto.

Yahoo: Toronto Raptors select USC’s Evan Mobley

Yahoo’s latest mock draft is reading into the rumors out of Cleveland that the Cavaliers are looking to shop Collin Sexton. There have been multiple reports suggesting he’s “very available” this summer and the assumption is the Cavaliers will target a guard like Jalen Suggs if they can move Sexton before the draft.

If Cleveland can find a trade partner and draft Suggs, as Peek has projected, Toronto will land the draft’s best big, Mobley, at No. 4.

“Mobley is the best center in this draft class who can also extend his game to the wing thanks to his incredible ball-handling skills for his 7-foot frame,” Peek wrote.

Landing a center like Mobley could be a game-changer for Toronto who appears to be set at its other four starting positions with Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam all under contract and at least one, if not both, of Gary Trent Jr. and Kyle Lowry back for next season. The problem with Mobley and young centers, in general, is they can be slow to develop to the NBA game both in terms of physicality and body type. While Mobley could dominate the collegiate game at 7-feet tall, 210-pounds, he’s going to have to add some weight and fill out his body to really be a true difference-maker at the highest level.

Report: Norman Powell Declining Player Option, Remains top Priority for Trail Blazers

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Former Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell will head to free agency this summer and is expected to be heavily pursued by the Portland Trail Blazers next year

Former Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell appears to be heading for a massive raise this summer.

The 28-year-old soon-to-be free agent will reportedly turn down his $11.6 million player option and test the open market this season after spending his 2020-21 campaign with the Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers, according to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes.

Despite so much uncertainty surrounding Portland’s future and Damian Lillard’s long-term commitment to the organization, the Trail Blazers are widely expected to re-sign Powell, according to both Haynes and The Athletic’s John Hollinger.

Powell averaged a career-high 18.6 points on 47.7% shooting and an astonishing 41.1% three-point shooting. Even as a somewhat one-dimensional player, he is certainly one of the league’s best pure scorers and should get paid accordingly this summer.

If Powell doesn’t return to Portland, he’s expected to have multiple other suitors, Haynes reported.

Powell spent the first five and a half seasons with the Raptors before Toronto moved him at the 2021 trade deadline for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood.

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