TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors leaves the court in the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia 76ers Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
3 goals for the steadily-improving Toronto Raptors: 1. Nail late draft picks again
If the Raptors have done one thing extremely well in recent years, it is nail some of their later draft picks. They took Malachi Flynn 29th in 2020, OG Anunoby 23rd in 2017, and Pascal Siakam 27th in 2016. They don’t have a first-round pick in this year’s draft, although it would not be a surprise if they somehow traded into the first round.
However, they do have the 33rd pick (via the Detroit Pistons), and that sits at a spot right around where they’ve had some real success at selecting players in the past. Ironically, if you look at this list, they’ve actually done a better job of drafting later in the draft than they have in the first round in the last decade (except Scottie Barnes at four last year).
It is easy to forget, but Anunoby was thought of as just as good a prospect as Siakam at one point. He got injured during their title run, and with COVID coming along less than a year after that, it has felt like his Raptors career has gone through a series of fits.
But if they could get another player like Anunoby or Siakam, that would be hugely beneficial. The Raptors seem to love big wing types who can defend and have a bit of shot creativity. It would be no surprise to see the Raptors go for somebody like this with their selection in the second round.
Fred VanVleet is their All-Star, and Siakam flirts with All-Star selection most years, so adding another young player to fill out their rotation would suit them well. Although, selecting a guard could be wise, considering how successful Barnes was in his rookie year.
Regardless, they need to focus on nailing their pick at 33 and attacking the undrafted free agent market when Summer League rolls around. Toronto has done well at this in past years, and it will be just as important this offseason.
Philadelphia 76ers squad to the brink in the first round of the postseason before bowing out with their heads held high.</p>
<p>One individual who really came away from that series with an improved reputation was Scottie Barnes. The youngster gutted it out despite being injured and played with the kind of desire and want to be out on the court that was in stark contrast to James Harden of the 76ers, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else for most of the series.</p>
<h2>This leaves the Toronto Raptors in a good place as they head into this offseason, knowing that better days are surely ahead.</h2>
<p>Perhaps it was the NBA championship win of 2019 or just the fact that Toronto looks like a cool place to live, but the Raptors are not one of the league’s backwater organizations like they used to be. They have also done an amazing job in recent years of rebranding themselves and moving on from the often-talked-about Vince Carter era and even the Chris Bosh-led teams of the past.</p>
<p>Franchise icon Kyle Lowry is now playing for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/">Miami Heat, yet the Raptors didn’t really miss a beat this season. Fans knew they would take a step back from true contender status in a suddenly more crowded Eastern Conference but have to be extremely happy with their showing in the regular season and beyond.</p>
<p>Unlike some of the other franchises, who are heading into the summer in complete panic, the Raptors are in a good place. There will be tough decisions to make down the road, and expectations will surely rise over time, too, but for now, they can take comfort in not only being where they’re supposed to be, but in all likelihood, a ways ahead of their projected trajectory as well. Here is what they need to get right this summer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #1 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-445124" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1394875843.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1394875843.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1394875843-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors leaves the court in the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia 76ers Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 goals for the steadily-improving Toronto Raptors: 1. Nail late draft picks again</h2>
<p>If the Raptors have done one thing extremely well in recent years, it is nail some of their later draft picks. They took Malachi Flynn 29th in 2020, OG Anunoby 23rd in 2017, and Pascal Siakam 27th in 2016. They don’t have a first-round pick in this year’s draft, although it would not be a surprise if they somehow traded into the first round.</p>
<p>However, they do have the 33rd pick (via the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/detroit-pistons/">Detroit Pistons), and that sits at a spot right around where they’ve had some real success at selecting players in the past. Ironically, if you <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/nba-draft-toronto-raptors-all-time-first-round-draft-picks/dbqojsi952h21vy7f8gev3kdd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">look at this list</a>, they’ve actually done a better job of drafting later in the draft than they have in the first round in the last decade (except Scottie Barnes at four last year).</p>
<p>It is easy to forget, but Anunoby was thought of as just as good a prospect as Siakam at one point. He got injured during their title run, and with COVID coming along less than a year after that, it has felt like his Raptors career has gone through a series of fits.</p>
<p>But if they could get another player like Anunoby or Siakam, that would be hugely beneficial. The Raptors seem to love big wing types who can defend and have a bit of shot creativity. It would be no surprise to see the Raptors go for somebody like this with their selection in the second round.</p>
<p>Fred VanVleet is their All-Star, and Siakam flirts with All-Star selection most years, so adding another young player to fill out their rotation would suit them well. Although, selecting a guard could be wise, considering how successful Barnes was in his rookie year.</p>
<p>Regardless, they need to focus on nailing their pick at 33 and attacking the undrafted free agent market when Summer League rolls around. Toronto has done well at this in past years, and it will be just as important this offseason.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #2 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-445129 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1368407304.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1368407304.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1368407304-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 01: Toronto rapper Drake speaks with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri during the first half of NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at Scotiabank Arena on February 1, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 goals for the steadily-improving Toronto Raptors: 2. Do not let Masai Ujiri leave</h2>
<p>If there is one man who is in demand and has a great proven track record, it is Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri. He was the person who convinced the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/san-antonio-spurs/">San Antonio</a> Spurs to part with Kawhi Leonard for DeMar DeRozan, which was the catalyst in the franchise winning the 2019 championship.</p>
<p>Perhaps even more impressively, the Raptors did not hit the depths of the Eastern Conference once Leonard left for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/la-clippers/">LA Clippers. Instead, they kept their heads above water, moved on from franchise legend Lowry at the right time (if these playoffs are anything to go by), and saw VanVleet turn into an All-Star.</p>
<p>To nail the Barnes pick was bonus territory. The Raptors already have the makings of a fringe contender if they can just get some internal improvement and the aforementioned correct selection of later picks in the upcoming draft. None of this would have gone as smoothly if Ujiri was not in charge.</p>
<p>At one point in time, it looked like the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/">New York</a> Knicks were going to pursue him hard, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://www.golfdigest.com/story/knicks-targeting-masai-ujiri-who-once-told-a-crowd-please-clap-after-this-i-hate-the-knicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">but that ended up not happening</a>. It kind of feels like the Covid-19 situation and the nature of teams playing it safe and just doing their best to survive cooled the interest in Ujiri as he continued to do a wonderful job in Toronto.</p>
<p>But make no mistake. Some up-and-coming franchise is going to see Ujiri as the man to take them to the next level, and if the project is intriguing enough, it would be hard to blame him for wanting to go.</p>
<p>Tim Connelly <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/tim-connelly-minnesota-timberwolves/" rel="">just received a ridiculous deal</a> to go and work for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/minnesota-timberwolves/">Minnesota Timberwolves. Ujiri is in the same bracket, and it is imperative the Raptors keep him to continue steering their ship.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #3 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-445128" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1393493739.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1393493739.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1393493739-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">TORONTO, ON – APRIL 23: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors is presented with the Rookie of the Year trophy from Raptors president Masai Ujiri ahead of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 goals for steadily-improving Toronto Raptors: 1. Build around Scottie Barnes</h2>
<p>Say what you want about VanVleet and Siakam, but Barnes already looks like the guy to build the franchise around. They should do this sooner rather than later, and really if it makes Barnes better in the long run, then the Raptors should explore any trades at all that could make sense to build their new contender.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/22/nba-trades-deandre-ayton-phoenix-suns/" rel="">How would DeAndre Ayton look</a> next to Barnes for the next half-decade? If you have a mobile big like that and a forward in Barnes who looks like he is going to do a bit of everything, then you have two very important pieces in place to ensure that you have a competitive roster.</p>
<p>Barnes said and did all of the right things in his rookie year. Despite being hurt, he clearly wanted to participate in the postseason, which shows his heart. Barnes is a high-energy, likable player that others would want to play with. He isn’t selfish on the ball, doesn’t demand all of the shots, and always tries to defend at a high level. A rare, sought-after combination.</p>
<p>Right now, VanVleet is an excellent guard with Barnes because he has defensive limitations but can score plenty and will find Barnes if needed. Looking into the future, an upgrade at that position would be necessary for the Raptors to get back into true contention conversations. Siakam and Anunoby are important to the franchise but not off the table if it makes sense to help Barnes.</p>
<p>Ujiri won’t make any silly or rash decisions, and he has successfully negotiated deals at the right time in the past. This just so clearly looks like a place where Barnes is going to grow and be trusted with more responsibility, and it will be fascinating to see how he handles that. Look for some roster moves this summer to be made with Barnes very much in mind.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Exit Survey: A huge offseason awaits for the Jazz" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/exit-survey-utah-jazz/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/25/exit-survey-goals-toronto-raptors/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/exit-survey-utah-jazz/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Exit Survey: A huge offseason awaits for the Jazz </a> </div>
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