5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason

Toronto </a>Raptors looked more like their recent title-winning squad this year. The team was able to push themselves into the postseason, where they fell in the first round to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/philadelphia-76ers/">Philadelphia 76ers.</p> <p>The Raptors feel like a team on the rise with a solid young core. One of the most questioned decisions of the previous offseason was the selection of Scottie Barnes with the fourth overall pick. He quickly silenced the doubters, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://www.nba.com/news/torontos-scottie-barnes-wins-2021-22-kia-rookie-of-the-year-award#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%20%E2%80%93%20Toronto%20Raptors%20guard,Carter%20(1998%2D99)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">earning Rookie of the Year accolades</a>.</p> <p>Other members of the team’s core are Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr., a quietly solid crew. Additionally, the franchise has one of the best head coaches in Nick Nurse, and personnel in president Masai Ujiri.</p> <h2>5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason</h2> <p>Nevertheless, some hard decisions may need to be made this offseason. The playoff debacle at the hands of the Sixers showed this Raptors team is not ready to compete again for a championship or even an Eastern Conference crown. And much to the dismay of fans, Kawhi Leonard isn’t walking back through the door.</p> <p>The Raptors don’t have a lot of big free agents set to hit the market. The one that requires the most watching is big man Chris Boucher. Otherwise, the Raptors will likely return the same roster next season. Is that enough to get them to the next level, or should the team be trying to do more this summer? Here are five goals for the Toronto Raptors 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/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_445005" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-445005 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/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%2F1394880816.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1394880816.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1394880816-768x512.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: Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors walks to the bench during the second half of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia 76ers at 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> </div> </div> <h2>5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason: 5. Bring back Chris Boucher</h2> <p>Chris Boucher is the team’s most important free agent. He is also one of the team’s top big men and a crucial person to bring back for 2022-23.</p> <p>Boucher saw the court for a full season last year, playing in 80 games. The big man averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, marks made more impressive by the fact he only averaged slightly more than 21 minutes per game. He averaged a double-double per 36, as he’s done each of the past four years.</p> <p>The two-time champion (once with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/golden-state-warriors/">Golden State</a> Warriors) is also an elite shot blocker. In 2020-21, he finished fifth in league with 1.9 blocks per game. He’s ranked in the top ten in each of the past two years in both block percentage and turnover percentage and was 15th in offensive rating this year.</p> <p>If the Raptors are forced to choose between Boucher and Thaddeus Young, Boucher needs to be the choice. He’s more dynamic and springier, even if he can be a bit more inconsistent.</p> <p>The cap hamstrings the Raptors, but they should be able to bring Boucher back on a contract that would pay him around $10 million. He seems like a candidate to get a two-year deal.</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/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440503" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440503 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2171,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1363478325.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2171" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1363478325.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1363478325-768x521.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 7: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Utah Jazz during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 7, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason: 4. Hand Fred VanVleet an extension</h2> <p>Guard Fred VanVleet becomes eligible for an extension this offseason. As one of the team’s most important players, the Raptors should give VanVleet an extension rather than risk him testing the market in a year.</p> <p>VanVleet’s narrative is impeccable. He went from undrafted out of Wichita State to one of the best guards in the NBA, an anchor for a team that won a championship a few years ago. He’s the soul of the team.</p> <p>That being said, VanVleet’s play speaks for itself. He averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game this season, both career-high marks. His 87.4 percent mark from the charity stripe was also a career-high.</p> <p>In addition to ranking in the top 20 in assists in each of the past three seasons, VanVleet has also spent them in the top 20 in steals, averaging 1.7 per game last year. His value also derives from how much run he gets, finishing second in minutes per game in each of the past two years.</p> <p>VanVleet may not be ascending for much longer. While he made his first All-Star appearance this season, he did turn 28 years old a few months back. At some point, his play will begin to decline.</p> <p>But that probably won’t happen in the next three to four years. The Raptors can get him on the books for the next three years at about $88 million or tack on an additional year if VanVleet declines his 2023-24 player option. For the Raptors, bringing him back should be a no-brainer.</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/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439275" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439275 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1355756161.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355756161.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355756161-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 26: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball over Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 26, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason: 3. Fill out the bench</h2> <p>As mentioned, VanVleet ranked second in the league in minutes per game. The person who ranked first? Teammate Pascal Siakam. Scottie Barnes and  Gary Trent Jr. also ranked in the top 15 in the league. The Raptors need reinforcements on the bench.</p> <p>Toronto arguably had the worst bench in the NBA last season. The unit averaged 25.7 points per game, ranking last in the league. That could be a function of averaging a league-low 14.4 minutes per game.</p> <p>Malachi Flynn was tethered to the bench amid his struggles, while Svi Mykhailiuk and Yuta Watanabe failed to maintain a spot in the rotation. Nick Nurse couldn’t consistently trust his bench, which is ironic considering the team played 27 different starting lineups.</p> <p>Only Boucher and Precious Achiuwa averaged more than 20 minutes per game among the regulars to come off the bench. The problem became even more glaring in the postseason, with Siakam averaging more than 43 minutes per contest.</p> <p>The Raptors need more help so that the starters don’t keep getting overworked night in and night out. Where that help comes from, however, is a good question.</p> <p>The draft is a logical starting point, but the Raptors dealt their first-rounder in the Goran Dragic trade. All they have left is a second-rounder, where it may be too difficult to find an immediate contributor.</p> <p>Deploying the mid-level exception is a possibility to help bring life back to a bench unit formerly known as the Bench Mob. Some veteran assets could also come by way of trade (more on that in a bit).</p> <p>One potential target for the MLE is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/">Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo. He’s a former star and likely wants a bigger contract, but his health history will make most teams reticent to hand him a major deal. He can keep proving his health while reemerging as one of the best sixth men in the league.</p> <p>Another fun possibility? Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. He was a former G League Defensive Player of the Year in the Raptors’ system before getting away. Payton II averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a lead bench player for Golden State this year and would likely be recovered from his fractured elbow by next season.</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/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438842" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438842 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/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%2F1352720270.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352720270.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352720270-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: De’Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 03, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason: 2. Go hunting for a star…</h2> <p>It’s been some time since the Raptors went fishing for a big name. In recent years, they’ve seen the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and DeMar DeRozan depart. It might be time to get a bigger star to put Toronto back in the spotlight.</p> <p>First, the Raptors would have to think about what they’d be willing to give up, as stars don’t come cheap. Scottie Barnes is untouchable and Siakam and VanVleet might as well be. Anunoby could be in that category as well, but he’s the most likely asset that would get a big trade done.</p> <p>Gary Trent Jr. appears to be a more likely trade candidate. This year’s second-round pick or next year’s first-rounder are also in contention to be moved if the Raptors want to shake things up.</p> <p>With that in mind, who should the Raptors pursue?</p> <p>De’Andre Hunter is a name that’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://raptorsrapture.com/2022/05/15/raptors-pounce-deandre-hunter-amid-trade-rumors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">been floated</a> at Raptors Rapture. He averaged 13.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and is good as a switchable forward on the defensive end. He stepped up big in the postseason at times, too, and the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/atlanta-hawks/">Atlanta Hawk is coming off his best year as a shooter.</p> <p>Another fun possibility is trading for Derrick Rose. He was a solid contributor for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/">New York</a> Knicks when he was healthy, and that franchise isn’t as far along in their contention window as they thought after the previous year. He could be a really good backup guard behind VanVleet.</p> <p>The rumor mill has pointed towards one veteran big man as a trade candidate. He may be best to avoid, though…</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/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goal #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_443689" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-443689" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1385201354.jpeg" alt="NBA Trades, Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1385201354.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1385201354-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 04: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason: 1. Pass on the Rudy Gobert rumors</h2> <p>All indications point towards the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/utah-jazz/">Utah Jazz potentially being the biggest sellers of the offseason after years of not seeing its core get over the hill. They’ll likely try to trade either Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell (or both), with the former feeling like a more likely possibility.</p> <p>Earlier this month, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://www.sny.tv/articles/how-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-affect-mitchell-robinson-knicks-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SNY’s Ian Begley reported</a> the Raptors would have a “degree of interest” in Gobert <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/08/nba-rumors-rudy-gobert-toronto-raptors/" rel="">if he becomes available</a>. The Raptors should stay clear of that possibility, though.</p> <p>It’s not an indictment of the French big man, who is one of the best centers in the NBA. He’s a defensive monster and a walking double-double machine. His lack of a three-point shot hasn’t harmed his value in the way it has other traditional centers.</p> <p>But the Raptors are a team that values versatility above all. Gobert is one of the best at fulfilling his role as a traditional big man, but that’s all he can really do. His fit in Nick Nurse’s system would be awkward at best.</p> <p>Additionally, the financials are really difficult to handle. Gobert is owed $169.7 million over the next four years. The only way the Raptors are going to be able to afford him is by trading one of the untouchable core players, which is likely a nonstarter for Ujiri.</p> <p>At the end of the day, the Raptors were willing to go big on Leonard because the team felt they were close, and he fit into what the franchise was trying to do. Gobert doesn’t rise to that level and doesn’t fit into the team’s positional goals.</p> <p>There’s a team out there that would be a good fit for Rudy Gobert, both on and off the court, but the Toronto Raptors aren’t that team. They should avoid the temptation of going after him this offseason.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Damian Lillard ‘likes’ the idea of playing with Deandre Ayton" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/16/damian-lillard-deandre-ayton/" 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/2022/05/18/goals-toronto-raptors-offseason/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/16/damian-lillard-deandre-ayton/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Damian Lillard ‘likes’ the idea of playing with Deandre Ayton </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">