NBA – Toronto Raptors 2022 Off Season – What to Expect
With NBA Free Agency only a few weeks away, let’s take a few minutes and talk about what to powerful wing player, expect from the Toronto Raptors this off season.
Masai has been vocal about liking this core. Fred VanVleet remains on a competitive contract, Pascal Siakam regained his All NBA form before the end of the season and Scotty Barnes defied the odds and won ROY honors. It is highly unlikely any of these 3 will be moved.
The next man on the depth charts, OG Anunoby, his future is somewhat hazy surprisingly enough. Again, management has made it known that OG isn’t going anywhere but persistent rumors suggest something could be afoot. OG is a powerful wing player known for his tenacious defense and this season shot a career high 17 points a game. Unfortunately, he only played in 48 games due to injury and never really got a good, extended run at any point in the season.
The rumor suggests that OG isn’t happy with his role on the team. Without being more specific we are left to speculate that perhaps he means his role as a fourth option. Looking at the facts, his minutes per game and scoring numbers, this was his best season even though he was ready to play in just over half the scheduled games. Difficult to imagine him ready to take on a bigger role on any other team before he delivers one, solid season for the Raptors.
Many teams have been identified as his likely destination including New York, Dallas, Memphis and Portland where Damian Lillard is ‘eager to play with OG.’
Will he still be playing for the Raptors in October? Any player that can be traded to make the Raptors better now and in the future will be examined by Masai and Bobby and Nick. Given the persistence of this rumor and the number of teams he’s been linked with, it would seem likely that the Raptors are checking his value. But like all trades, no one team is willingly going to come away from the transaction with less than they give. Trade inquiries are a part of the game and an important way that Executives get information from other teams. No team is an island.
The fifth man in the main starting rotation, Gary Trent Jr., has demonstrated that he can contribute and will likely stay at least through the end of his existing contract. Don’t expect him to be going anywhere.
Most of the movement we will see from the Raptors this off season will be around the bench and for good reason. Last year the Raptors bench was consistently at or near the bottom in the league in points. The result was that the starters had to play extended minutes and were worn out by the time the playoffs came around. Exceptions to this rule include Thad Young who will be back as will Precious Achiuwa who management have some pretty big hopes pinned on over the coming years.
Outside of these 2, any of the remaining Raptors bench mob could be back or not. No one here went any distance in distinguishing themselves this season. Indeed, it is certain that Masai has his scouts scouring for talent worldwide. It will be exciting to see what they come up with and what the team looks like in October.