It's Make or Break Time for a Raptors Team that's Dropping Fast
Do the Toronto Raptors blow up their roster – trade pieces like Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby – and go for higher draft picks this summer, and build around Scottie Barnes?
Or do they trade to address their ongoing shooting issues, strengthen their struggling bench, and push for a hot streak and an NBA playoff spot, like they did last season?
Which Way Will the Raptors Go?
It’s make-it-or-break-it time. And don’t read too much into Tuesday’s 132-120 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte’s terrible – 11-31 on the season, right on the edge of the last overall spot. It is probably looking at highly skilled 7-foot-4 centre Victor Wembanyama, leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker in France’s top league, as a probable No. 1 pick.
The Raptors shot the ball against the Hornets, at least – 45.5 per cent from 3-point range (a season-high 20 3-pointers), a weak spot for the team this season, and a 49.5 per cent field goal percentage.
They rebounded the ball – 49 (including 18 offensive rebounds, Charlotte only had six). And they got production from their bench – Precious Achiuwa had 13 points, and Chris Boucher had 12, while rookie Christian Koloko had six offensive rebounds, one shy of his career high.
It’s not as if the Raptors need binoculars to see last place, either. At 18-23 (23rd in the NBA), they’re another terrible December stretch (where they went 5-10) from joining the basement dwellers, along with the Hornets, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets (currently last overall).
Porter Injury Brings Memories of Turkoglu
Now, the news is that Otto Porter Jr. is undergoing surgery on a dislocated toe and is gone for the season. Can you say Hedo Turkoglu?
The team got eight games out of the PF Porter, who also had hamstring issues, after signing him as a free agent for two years at $12.3 million, hoping he would strengthen the bench and provide shooting. He’ll likely go down as one of the worst free agent signings by the team, maybe not in the biblical-sized Turkoglu category, but right there with Jason Kapono and Landry Fields.
Over the rest of the week, they play the Hornets again tomorrow and the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, both in Toronto. They need to handle the Hornets again, and the Hawks only have one more win than the Raptors. So would you say the next two games are pretty pivotal?
Despite their struggles, bettors in Ontario continue to support their home team, according to an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation spokesperson, referencing their Proline sportsbook.
Over the weekend, 73 per cent had them beating the New York Knicks (they lost 112-108), while 67 per cent had them beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday (they won 117-105). Thursday, early DraftKings odds have the spread at Raptors -7.5, Moneyline at Raptors 1.31. So they better take care of business.
Here’s betting the Raptors hold the line, and keep roster tweaking around their core of Pascal Siakam, their MVP this season, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and Anunoby. There’s lots of chatter among NBA insiders about Trent Jr. going, but why would you do that? Trent Jr., with 24 points Tuesday, is a core part of their starting five, averaging 18.5 points, with a field goal percentage of 44.3 per cent. Siakam leads the team in FG percentage at 47.4 (58th in the NBA).
This next week will be interesting to watch – Siakam, VanVleet and Anunoby lead the league in minutes played. That isn’t sustainable.
