Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors

2019-20: 53-19 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference, 2nd in NBA)

Beat Brooklyn 4-0 in First Round

Lost to Boston 4-3 in Semifinals

2019-20 Individual Stats	2019-20 Team Stats	Head Coach Profile
Points: Pascal Siakam (22.9)Rebounds: Serge Ibaka (8.2)Assists: Kyle Lowry (7.5)Steals: Fred VanVleet (1.9)Blocks: Chris Boucher (1.0)3-Point %: Norman Powell (39.9%)Free Throw %: Kyle Lowry (85.7%)	Points: 112.8 (13th)/106.5 (1st)FG %: 45.8% (20th)/42.8% (2nd)3-Point %: 37.4% (5th)/33.7% (1st)FT %: 79.6% (6th)Offense Rating: 14thDefense Rating: 2ndTurnovers: 14.8 (17th)/16.8 (2nd)	Nick Nurse – Third year with Toronto (154-111, .721, 23-12 in postseason)

After winning the 2018-19 NBA championship, the Raptors watched their best player Kawhi Leonard run to California to try to lead the Clippers to a title. Because of that, a lot of people thought the Raptors would be middle of the pack at best. But they showed a lot of heart and resolve, ending up with the second best record in the NBA and showing they weren’t going away.

It was done with the best scoring defense in the NBA, and some breakout seasons from Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. But it’s happened again. Both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka have left, leaving the Raptors with more questions and more doubts. But with this talented back court and a coach who has proven himself able to strategize with any other coach, do you want to count them out?

F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson	Minnesota	C Aron Baynes	Phoenix
F Serge Ibaka	L.A. Clippers	F DeAndre’ Bembry	Atlanta
C Marc Gasol	L.A. Lakers	C Alex Len	Sacramento
F Malcolm Miller	Free Agency	F Alize Johnson	Indiana
C Dewan Hernandez	Free Agency	C Henry Ellenson	Brooklyn
G Shamorie Ponds	Free Agency	F Yuta Watanabe	Memphis

NBA Draft

(1, 29)	G Malachi Flynn	San Diego State
(2, 59)	G Jalen Harris	Nevada

Projected Roster

SF	O.G. Anunoby	Solid defender always guarded one of opponents’ best offensive players, and is also a very good rebounder. Still needs work on offense.
PF	Pascal Siakam	In first season as team’s go-to guy, he did well in regular season (23 points, 7 rebounds), but struggled in the playoffs (17 points, 8 rebounds). Need more dominant ability.
C	Aron Baynes	Joins team from Phoenix, where he had a breakout season. But replacing Marc Gasol is a whole other task.
SG	Fred VanVleet	Had breakout season and is poised to be one of league’s next stars if he continues this trajectory.
PG	Kyle Lowry	Had his best season as a pro, with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists average. He’s this team’s leader.
F	Stanley Johnson	Struggled to stay on the court because of injuries, but offers good two-way ability when he is healthy.
F	Alize Johnson	Joins the team from the Pacers, but has to show he belongs.
C	Chris Boucher	Good shot-blocker who does well around the basket, but doesn’t offer much offensive upside.
G	Patrick McCaw	Long and a streaky shooter. When he’s on, he can bury the threes, but he has too many streaks of coming up empty.
G	Norman Powell	Athleticism is off the charts, and is able to give both Lowry and VanVleet valued rest and still score points.
F	DeAndre’ Bembry	Fell out of rotation in Atlanta, trying to bring his physicality to the North
F	Henry Ellenson	Big body, but not much production.
C	Alex Len	Even bigger body, has potential to provide stretch 5 capabilities.
G	Matt Thomas	Showed flashes, especially as productive 3-point shooter.
G	Malachi Flynn (R)	Mountain West POY with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game for Aztecs after transferring from Washington State.
F	Oshae Brissett	Played 19 games for Raptors, mainly in garbage time.
F	Yuta Watanabe	Was a factor for Grizzlies, but may lose minutes on more talented Raptors team.
G	Paul Watson	Two-way contract already signed.
G	Terence Davis	Actually played 72 games with Raptors last year, starting 4, but wasn’t on court very long in any game he played.
G	Jalen Harris (R)	Another big-time Mountain West scorer, averaged 22 points, with 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game in lone season for Wolfpack after transferring from Louisiana Tech. Two-way will be first for him.

Question #1: The Raptors have a good problem to have – they have closers all over – guys who can make the big shot when the game is on the line. But they have to decide who THE guy is, soon. Last year, we all thought it would be Pascal Siakam until Fred VanVleet started hitting clutch shots. And then there’s Kyle Lowry. If you have the choice to put the ball in any of these guys’ hands at the end of the game, who gets the ball? And is that the guy they need to build around?	Answer: Kyle Lowry is that guy.  He’s an all-star veteran who has already made his mark on the NBA.  You can trust him to either make that shot or find someone who will.  The veteran decision making skill is an invaluable asset at closing time.
Question #2: The Raptors lose Ibaka and Gasol, who are both fantastic defenders and anchors on that side of the ball.  Who needs to fill those spots and how will it affect this previously top ranked defense?	Answer: Pascal Siakam is a good defender and he will help anchor that side of the ball. But Chris Boucher will take over the rim protection. And he was really good last year in protecting the paint. I think they lose some talent definitely, but they have good players. They probably won’t be No. 1 again, but I’d expect a top 10 defense.
Question #3: Is the long-term answer at center already on this roster? Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka were aging veterans, yes, but they were also the two proven centers. They brought over both Aron Baynes and Alex Len, and have high hopes for Chris Boucher. Are one of those three guys the long-term answer, or are they all placeholders for a free agent star in the next couple of years?	Answer: Unfortunately, no they do not have the best players at the center position right now.   They do have size and skill at the forward position with Pascal Siakam and he will provide the low post scoring threat that they need.  Baynes and Len will primarily serve as screeners for the talented guards.  The NBA strategy has drifted away from the 20-10 big men, so I’m not terribly concerned about Toronto’s lack of skill at center.   If a big-time center comes to Toronto, it will be through a trade and not through free agency.
Question #4: Toronto is not considered to be a free agent destination.   In fact, many of the names in this roster, the casual NBA fan may not recognize.  Is the secret to getting back to the finals another blockbuster trade deal like they did for Kawhi Leonard?	Answer: Either that or getting lucky like they did in the draft with Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. They can build through the draft cheaply and get lucky there. I don’t really see that happening with their draft picks this year. So, yeah, short of striking gold in the draft, they’ll need to make a blockbuster trade.