Just a couple of seasons ago, the Toronto Raptors finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record. They failed to build on that promising 2021-22 campaign last season, though, and saw team leader Fred VanVleet leave for a bigger payday in free agency. His departure left a sizable hole at point guard, so the front office singed veteran floor general Denis Schroder after adding sharpshooter Gradey Dick in the NBA draft.
Surprisingly, Gary Trent Jr. exercised his player option to remain with Toronto, while Jakob Poeltl signed a four-year deal to stay with the Raptors after being acquired at the 2023 trade deadline. The team’s changes didn’t stop with the roster, as Darko Rajakovich replaces Nick Nurse on the sidelines.
After the new-look Raptors’ terrific season-opening win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, let’s dive into some bold Toronto predictions for the 2023-24 season.
The Raptors finished 28th in three-point percentage last year, so it was very evident they were a subpar perimeter shooting squad. Their championship roster had not only VanVleet but also Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, all reliable snipers.
However, the front office has not prioritized fortifying their lineup with outside shooters, so they will likely rely on Trent to light it up from beyond the arc. Trent has a career average of 38.3% from three, but he will exceed that number with a point guard like Schroder and point forward like Barnes feeding him good looks.
The OG Anunoby sweepstakes have been a percolating headline for the past year or so, but he is still in a Toronto uniform as 2023-24 tips off. Reports suggest the Raptors have demanded a king’s ransom to part with Anunoby in a trade, so teams across the league have been hesitant to overpay for a top-tier three-and-D wing who has yet to make an All-Star appearance.
The attractive facet of Anunoby’s repertoire is his plug-and-play ability to flourish with any franchise. On offense, he still lacks the skillset of being a primary decision-maker, but he has proven to thrive as a cutter and corner shooter. Moreover, he’s one of the best defenders in the NBA, truly capable of guarding five positions. The primary rationale behind Toronto finally trading Anunoby is the player option on his contract for next season, which sets him up for a major raise in free agency—one the Raptors could be reluctant to give him.