The Toronto Raptors’ roster construction might be based on a faulty blueprint.
Many fans and analysts around the NBA are perplexed about what exactly the Raptors’ front office is doing lately.
The Raptors parted ways with general manager/president Masai Ujiri in June after 12 years, but the post-Ujiri world for Toronto is looking murky at best, at least at the moment. The Raptors’ offseason moves following Ujiri’s exit didn’t exactly restore confidence in the organization.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes took some time this week to poke fun at Toronto’s directionless existence.
“The organization lauded for the forward-thinking “Project 6’9″” approach now feels like it has its finger nowhere near the pulse of modern roster-building trends,” Hughes wrote.
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“The Raptors re-upped with non-spacing big man Jakob Poeltl, added a shaky-shooting rookie forward in Collin Murray-Boyles who’ll overlap with Scottie Barnes and extended Brandon Ingram after a hail mary trade brought him aboard during the year. Toronto also doesn’t really have a point guard, though Immanuel Quickley and his infamous contract will man the position.”
“Quickley’s 32.0 percent assist rate was strong for a combo guard, which means less because that’s not the position he’ll play for the Raptors,” Hughes continued. “Though a career-high by a mile, that percentage wouldn’t have sniffed the top 10 among point guards (minimum 900 minutes) last season. His career mark is in the low 20s, which would have been 28th in that same sample.”
“Toronto will be better than last year if the core stays healthy,” Hughes added, “but this is a roster that doesn’t sync with many of the stylistic trends around the league—one that is also too expensive at several positions and led by promoted GM Bobby Webster, who assumes President of Basketball Operations duties after presumably having a lot to do with the current build.”
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The decision to build around Scottie Barnes has always been a point of contention among Raptors observers. While Barnes is an excellent asset, he’s not necessarily a top-2 piece you can construct a contender around.
It’s a good thing the Raptors snagged a title in 2019. Another chance for a ring might be a long way away for Toronto.