NBA – The Toronto Raptors – Questions in the 2021 off season
It is officially the middle of July, 2 weeks from the NBA draft, the Raptors have the 4 pick – their highest pick in years – and they have no President of Basketball Operations. Does that strike anyone as odd? Under Masai Ujiri the Raptors have run the model operation for the last seven seasons but since July 1st he hasn’t been under contract. Everything we’ve heard has been positive for re-signing Masai, both sides are publicly saying everything is good and progressing toward a new contract but there is still no contract after many, many weeks of negotiation.
Kyle Lowry. Dr Lowry I presume? Yes, Kyle Lowry received a PHD the other day from Acadia University. It was honorary and it was for rallying the Raptors to the Championship along with the contributions made by his Lowry Love Foundation. Great news and a hearty congratulations Kyle. As his contract expired June 30th, what’s next for him? He has vowed to retire a Raptor even if that means taking a one day contract, but will he be returning next season? This column says he’s gone, but the die has not yet been cast.
If Kyle is gone, what do they do to replace him? He was the heart and soul of the Raptors for several years and an irreplaceable part of the Championship drive. Even more difficult than finding a superstar will be finding another leader like Kyle Lowry.
Pascal Siakam. Out for 5 months after surgery on his shoulder. No summer training, no training camp and only expected back into the line up 5-10 games into the season should everything go right. When it happens, which Pascal Siakam will show up? The wide eyed, run for the hills kid who blazed full speed down the court and whirly gigged to the basket, or the Pascal who arrived at journey’s end only to discover the escalator was moving down? Will he be what Masai and Bobby thought he was going to be when they gave him a max contract or is a nothing more than an adequate starter making star money?
What do they do with the 4th overall draft pick? Not as big a question this year given that the top 4 candidates are fairly well locked in. It is very unlikely that Cade Cunningham will fall, leaving Evans, Mobley and Suggs in almost any order depending on the whims of the teams picking 2, 3 and 4. Given the expert opinions, it would seem all 4 of these players should be at the least useful and welcome additions to their new teams and should find positions in the starting lineup or 6th man scenarios.
Will they contend this year or tank for one more piece? If Masai does return, this will most likely be the easiest question to answer. If there is anything to be learned from Masai in the past it’s that he’s going to test, test and test the team he has. If it’s working and he feels they can make a splash in the play offs, he’ll allow the team to content. If, however, the team is losing more than winning and playoff success seems unlikely, he will allow the team to free fall toward another high draft pick.