The short-handed Toronto Raptors defeated the Charlotte Hornets 125-113 in front of an empty Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto last night. Due to the continued local covid restrictions, Canada’s only NBA team must channel the energy of their teammates, in the absence of the normally boisterous raucous home crowd. The victory moved them one game above the .500 mark for a (23-22) record, as we transition into the second half of the season. Considering all the adversity the team has faced in the first half of the season, the mere fact that the Raptors have a winning record, is remarkable!
The Toronto Raptors have not been entirely healthy for any real prolonged period, during the first half of the season. Any time you think there is light at the end of the tunnel, we get “pump faked” into reality. Nick Nurse and his coaching staff have had to role with the punches and make the most out of a terrible situation. Coach Nurse has had to use a record number of different starting units and player rotations, being forced to adjust on the fly. Our core players Fred Van Vleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent JR & rookie phenom Scottie Barnes have had to play heavy minutes to compensate, when healthy. Although some bench players have shown glimpses of success, the consistency of their contribution has lacked. Home grown rookie Dalano Banton from Rexdale, Chris Boucher from Montreal and another undrafted rookie Justin Champagnie are beginning to bring the effort we need off the bench, to help this team win games. The G League season has kept Dalano and Justin active, enabling them to stay sharp to develop their skills and gain confidence. The Raptors development program is by far the best in the League!
The trade deadline is just around the corner and Masai Ujiri and his team have most definitely been communicating with Coach Nurse to figure out the best options, to complement our core players. The expiring Goran Dragic 19.7-million-dollar contract, Chris Boucher who will demand a significant pay raise next year, Malachi Flynn who has been passed on the teams’ depth chart by the longer/taller Dalano Banton – plus draft picks, will most likely be the asset allocation that Masai dangles into the market, to see what he can reap. I don’t think the Raptors will go after older rental players however they will try to find a real Center. That position has been killing us when we play against 7 footers like Embid, Nurkic and Karl Anthony Towns. We need an upgrade at that position, for sure. A few other rotation players who can shoot, fit our timeline, and team dynamics, would be nice to add as well. I don’t think the Raptors will be involved in any blockbuster type deals. However, with Masai you never know. If there is something out there that will improve the team, expect him to pounce on that opportunity like the Kawhi Leonard trade. But keep in mind, that would require including our core players in those deals. I feel like we haven’t had enough of a sample size due to injuries to ascertain what this current make-up of the team, can truly deliver. That is why I expect more “tinkering” rather than home run plays at the trade deadline.
If we just “tinker” and use the rest of the year for our young guns to develop and form chemistry with our core group. I think that is the best decision, based on how everything has unfolded to this point. The Raptors can hopefully add some complementary pieces, stay healthy, continue to develop, and get into the playoffs and surprise teams in the first couple rounds in the Eastern Conference. This way we stay the course, gain experience, and really know what this team is all about, going into the summer. If we don’t add any large contracts in trades, we will have more salary cap space and position our team, to sign a key free agent piece and level up for the 2022/2023 Season.
One thing I know for sure is we have one of the best coaches in the league in Nick Nurse and probably the best NBA executive in Masai Ujiri. The combination of Nick Nurse, Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri along with the entire scouting team, gives the Toronto Raptors an advantage. I trust Nick Nurse to develop this team and make the right moves on the court. I trust Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri’s staff to make the right moves off the court. I trust the process and I am excited to see what the Toronto Raptors do at the trade deadline, rest of the year in the second half of the season, and hopefully playoffs as well!
Our future looks great, and we have the best basketball minds – making the decisions and grooming our talented players to be successful.
Let’s go Raptors, I think we are going to surprise a lot of Basketball fanatics the second half of this season!
