30 days, 30 teams and 30 years for the Raptors. The Canadian franchise is celebrating the anniversary of its arrival in the league. And it's difficult to talk about the age of reason with a squad which has definitively turned the page on the 2019 title era with the departure of Pascal Siakam during last season. Youth bonus to set aside the 2023-2024 financial year. Necessary but painful sporting transition with the departure of the Cameroonian, extra-sporting problems with the lifetime exclusion of Jontay Porter for a betting affair, personal dramas for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley or even the injury of Scottie Barnes, nothing will have been spared in Toronto.
The NBA's most famous dinos hope that the start of the school year will be synonymous with fresh air, even if ambitions are measured. Darko Rajakovic will experience his first season with what the Raptors must be, at least in the short term, to relaunch in the East. The new hard core does not exceed the age of 25 with the trio Immanuel Quickley – RJ Barrett – Scottie Barnes, but already has solid experience in the NBA. The three friends only played two months together last season before the 2022 Rookie of the Year broke his hand.
It's difficult to take last season's 25 victories as is, especially with the awful 2-19 final in the absence of Scottie Barnes. Experience, adjustments, and time, that's what the Raptors need, and that's the main goal of this season. It will also offer Masai Ujiri, the president of the franchise, the opportunity to gauge this remodeled group, and to know if it is destined to continue around leader Scottie Barnes, or if it plays more of a transitional role. All-Star for the first time last season, the Toronto forward is the new headliner, and has the right profile compared to his new teammates.
With Immanuel Quickley as capable of playing with distribution (6.8 assists during his half-season in Canada) as without the ball (nearly three successful 3-point shots per game at 39.5%) at position 1, and RJ Barrett more effective as a second creator than as a ball carrier, the Swiss army knife Barnes falls perfectly into the “point forward” register. Around them, the squad is completed by specialists, from budding shooters Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter, to outside defenders Davion Mitchell or Jamal Shead, including interior duty Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk. The potential is there, all that remains is to let it mature.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Branden Carlson (two-way), Ulrich Chomche (two-way), Bruno Fernando, Davion Mitchell, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter
Departures: Mouhamadou Gueye, Jalen McDaniels, Gary Trent Jr, Sasha Vezenkov
PLAYER TO WATCH: SCOTTIE BARNES
Fred VanVleet then Pascal Siakam left, and OG Anunoby was used as a bargaining chip before his contract extension. Scottie Barnes would almost seem like a vestige of the Raptors roster from recent seasons.
Extended at a high price this summer, the Floridian now has the keys in Toronto. His superb rebound during his third season bodes well for the best, as he retains obvious room for improvement (outside shooting, dribbling). Scottie Barnes seems to have figured out how to dominate and exploit all facets of his game in recent months.
The next step will now be to establish yourself as a boss, not just a statistical one. That might seem like a lot for a player who just turned 23. But the promises at this age are too important not to see the big picture regarding him. A season of 22 points, 6 rebounds, as many passes with three “stocks”, the accumulation of interceptions and blocks, seems totally within his ropes.
Average age: 25.7 years
Payroll: $168 million (24e)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
Of all the teams in the process of rebuilding, the Raptors may have the most solid and advanced foundation. The 2023-2024 season put on the shelf, what if Toronto quickly proves itself to be stronger than it seems? After all, in the Eastern Conference, behind a Top 8 which seems more or less established, there is plenty of room to secure the play-in – the Hawks finished tenth with only 36 victories last May – or even take advantage of 'a big mishap higher up in the tables.
The Quickley – Barrett duo already knows each other well and should limit the necessary adaptation time. As long as the agreement with Scottie Barnes is put in place quickly, the Canadian franchise would have reason to consider the future more calmly. The first sample, although small, is rather interesting. It would be a great way to pay tribute to the team's 30-year history in the league, which will be celebrated throughout the season, including Vince Carter's number 15 finally retired.
The squad is already generally made up, but the expiring contracts of Bruce Brown and Chris Boucher could be new trade opportunities, in addition to having all of its first rounds of Draft available.
THE WORST SCENARIO
The Raptors' skeleton may be in place, but it lacks guarantees. The balance of the starting five will also depend a lot on the contribution to the outside shooting and spacing of position 2, whether it is Gradey Dick or Ja'Kobe Walter, a sophomore and a rookie who have a lot to prove before being full starters in the NBA. And if Jakob Poeltl is a solid pivot for the low tasks, he is the only real player near the referenced circle of the squad, while Scottie Barnes should start at position 4 in a “small ball” formation.
The kind of bet that can pose problems for more than one opponent as well as for Toronto itself against teams counting on dominant interiors. Coach Darko Rajakovic will truly be tested on his ability to minimize his squad's flaws, or mask them by sufficiently maximizing their strengths.
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