Toronto Raptors: Four burning questions as they enter the season

Toronto Raptors</a> were such a fun story last season. Many projected them to fall apart with the departure and instead they finished with the best winning percentage in franchise history. They seem to consistently beat expectations and develop a ton of tough-minded defenders to ruin the day of their opponents. Just when you think it is time to count them out they bludgeon teams. Nick Nurse was the coach of the year for a reason: he was a complete wizard.</p> <p>But after something of a down offseason they find themselves with more questions than some may expect from the outside looking in. Some of the things that carried them to a dominant record last season are not quite the same this year.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="NBA Predictions: 2020-21 NBA win total projections" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/01/nba-predictions-2020-21-win-total/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/01/nba-predictions-2020-21-win-total/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> NBA Predictions: 2020-21 NBA win total projections </a> </div> </div> <p>Their top two centers have moved on to the two Los Angeles teams. Some of the offense that carried them in the regular season seemed to fade away to an extent in the postseason and left them wanting.</p> <p>So we are going to lock on to four burning questions that could come to define the Toronto Raptors this season and beyond. Factors outside of their control have raised even more questions about their future. They have possibly the best coach/front office combination in the league so they should be able to figure out whatever is thrown in their way. That being said, this is where the concerns start.</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/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Question One </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_419088" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-419088" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"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%2F1291114945.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1291114945.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1291114945-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>1. Will Aron Baynes be enough of a center replacement?</h2> <p>The loss of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka cannot really be overstated. They were key functions of the team defense that dominated the Eastern Conference last season. Marc Gasol is one of the best passing big men of all time and Ibaka added a nice 3-point shot to the center rotation that the offense benefitted from. It did not hurt that he put up a career-high in points while playing his lowest minutes per game since his second season in the league. Replacing both of them was of the utmost importance.</p> <p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/baynear01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Aron Baynes</a> is the starter of choice who will be replacing them to start the year and if he is anything like what he was during the beginning of last season the team will not miss a beat. He shot 42.1 percent in October (3.8 attempts), 44.7 percent in November (4.8 attempts) and then cooled off for three months before shooting 43.8 percent (10.7 attempts) per game in March. Admittedly this total 16 games of the 42 he appeared in last season but it shows he is at least capable.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Raptors starting lineup: Locks, fringe, break-ins" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/21/toronto-raptors-starting-lineup-locks/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/21/toronto-raptors-starting-lineup-locks/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Raptors starting lineup: Locks, fringe, break-ins </a> </div> </div> <p>Never a double-figure scorer before last season, Baynes posted career highs in points, rebounds, minutes, 3-point percentage, effective field goal percentage and assists per game. He can fit into the team’s defense well and is a great teammate. He will need to be the player that thrived with the Phoenix Suns for part of the year for them to continue to roll along.</p> <p>The options behind Baynes are at a minimum interesting. Alex Len is serviceable and a good “break glass in case of emergency” option. Chris Boucher is a bouncing 28-year-old entering his fourth season just begging for an opportunity. He is a per-36 minute All-Star, averaging 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in that same size. As he transitions into the full-time backup center spot hopefully something like that can continue.</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/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Question Two </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_407805" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-407805" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2148,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1264873880.jpeg" alt="Toronto Raptors, NBA playoffs" width="3200" height="2148" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1264873880.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1264873880-768x516.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>2. Was the Norman Powell season for real?</h2> <p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/powelno01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Norman Powell</a> is entering the final fully locked-in season of his current contract. He has a player option for the 2021-2022 season and should he opt out it will be time for the Raptors to figure out how much they want to commit to him going forward. The question becomes is how real and sustainable was the leap he took last season.</p> <p>The season saw him start 26 of the 52 regular season games he appeared in and jumped from 18.8 minutes to 28.4 minutes per game. His statistical impact benefitted greatly from his increase in play. He posted a line of 16.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting a blistering 39.9 percent on 5.3 long-range attempts per game. In the playoffs, he shot even better and showed that he can contribute to a team that has postseason expectations.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Raptors: 3 bold predictions for the 2020-21 season" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/21/toronto-raptors-3-bold-predictions/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/21/toronto-raptors-3-bold-predictions/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Raptors: 3 bold predictions for the 2020-21 season </a> </div> </div> <p>The conundrum is he had never attempted more than three 3-point shots per game before this season so was it a one-year mirage or the start of an ascension. It will be tough for him to continue to find an extended role for a team loaded with guards and forwards and committed $177 million to Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby during the offseason.</p> <p>Given the sudden murkiness regarding the plans for their future (more on that later), it makes sense for the Raptors to play this out as long as possible. If he has another season like the one he is coming off of Powell will almost certainly opt out and be a valued player on the market. However, he is a testament to the developmental system of this team.</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/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Question Three </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_417497" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-417497" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2224,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1208851396.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2224" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1208851396.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1208851396-768x534.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Toronto Raptors (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>3. Can Pascal Siakam be the number one option long term?</h2> <p>After a tremendous season that saw some call for him to have a chance at consecutive Most Improved Player awards, the playoffs were not what fans of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/siakapa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Pascal Siakam</a> and the Raptors had been looking forward to. For the second season in a row, he looked overmatched and inefficient when it mattered most. So is this an issue that can be solved?</p> <p>At the risk of coming across as noncommittal, “maybe” feels like the only answer. In the first season that his numbers suffered in the playoffs, it was his first season as a full-time starter and he was in a loaded lineup where he was at best the third option. He was also only 24. This year he was experiencing his first postseason as the number one option and may be able to improve with time.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Raptors starting lineup: Ranking the starting 5" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/17/toronto-raptors-starting-lineup-ranking/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/17/toronto-raptors-starting-lineup-ranking/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Raptors starting lineup: Ranking the starting 5 </a> </div> </div> <p>The other positive indicator is ever-increasing dominance in the regular season. Last year as a first-time leader he improved to 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He shot 35.9 percent from distance, which is a loss of a whole percentage point but when considering his attempts leapt from 2.7 to 6.1 per game. He was also second on the team last season in defensive rating for anyone who played at least 25 minutes per game, behind only Marc Gasol.</p> <p>Siakam has all the tools to be a special player and as he gets increasingly comfortable in his role he should be able to thrive. While this is something of a transition year for the team Siakam can use it to springboard himself to the next phase of his evolution.</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/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Question Four </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_419089" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-419089" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1130,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F534718806.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1130" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/534718806.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/534718806-768x542.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Toronto Raptors (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>4. Where do the Toronto Raptors go now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is off the table?</h2> <p>It was a not-so-secret plan for the Toronto Raptors to be going after <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> next season. Not accounting for options (Norman Powell’s player option and Aron Baynes’ team option) and non-guarantees, following this year the team is only committed to Siakam, VanVleet, Chris Boucher and OG Anunoby. Now they have to pivot in another direction and this season will be part of that learning process.</p> <p>The extension for Anunoby is part of that next step and it was well-deserved. The Raptors could get creative with some trades if they want to bring in the disgruntled star type or buy-low on someone like Victor Oladipo. Even as the market for next summer is beginning to evaporate with so many extensions being signed.</p> <p>The Raptors are known for their player development and willingness to take chances. Swinging for a risk like they did with the Kawhi Leonard trades is worth doing again. Especially considering the under-hyped expiring contract of front office maestro Masai Ujiri.</p> <p>This question in particular is unlikely to be answered during the season unless a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/11/27/toronto-raptors-trade-james-harden/">blockbuster trade pops up</a>. The younger, unsigned guys will have a year to audition for a longer-term commitment, and if nothing else the (possible?) final year Kyle Lowry’s contract should be celebrated as he is the greatest Raptor of all time.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Power Rankings: Previewing the 2020-21 season" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/20/nba-power-rankings-preview-the-los-angeles-lakers-and-the-rest/" 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/2020/12/23/toronto-raptors-4-burning-questions/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/20/nba-power-rankings-preview-the-los-angeles-lakers-and-the-rest/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Power Rankings: Previewing the 2020-21 season </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">