The Raptors finally make some noise in the midst of a quiet off-season.
Just when it seemed that the Raptors were behind on their off-season activities, GM Masai Ujiri proves yet again that he is capable of finding valuable players that are lenient on the team’s budget. At a reportedly near $6 million for one year (according to ESPN’S Marc Stein), Jared Sullinger is just that: a valuable player at reasonable cost.
The Raptors’ biggest need heading into the 2016-2017 season is to add depth at the power forward position. With the addition of Sullinger, the team fulfils this objective. Here’s a closer look on how this new addition can improve the team.
- A definite upgrade: The Raptors were capable of notching up 56 wins with an aging Luis Scola as their starting PF. Sullinger has the advantage over Scola in nearly all aspects of the game. At 24 years of age, he clearly has a longer career ahead of him. If Sullinger can get in better shape come October, the Raptors will have a strong and big body power forward who is capable of boxing out and grabbing rebounds with the best of them. Regarding his physical shape, Jared Sullinger’s generous weight has been a continuous worry for Celtics fans and is now Raptors fans’ main uncertainty. On the plus side, Sullinger has a strong mid-range game, shooting an effective 47.7% in 2-point field goal area, and is committed to rebounding for put-backs. If he can figure out a solution to his weight dilemma and continue improving on his numerous strengths, he has a chance to redefine his career in Toronto. All things considered, Jared Sullinger represents a definite upgrade at the power forward position for the Raptors.
- Added Depth & Options: The Raptors won 56 games while Jonas Valanciunas and Demarre Carroll were inactive the majority of the season. During those games, the Raptors’ bench was very thin. Sullinger allows them to have more options as far as lineups go, since he is capable of sliding to the center position if Coach Casey decides to play a small lineup. An example of this lineup can be one coming off the bench, including Joseph, Powell, Ross, Patterson and Sullinger. Furthermore, Sullinger has the capability to perform well off the bench or in the starting lineup giving the Raptors nearly three available players at each position. In the hopeful case of a fully healthy roster, the Raptors depth chart would be similar to what was indicated by Matthew Allman in his post. You can find it here:
Related Story: Raptors fans, welcome Jared Sullinger To The North!
- A Sure Bargain: Most likely Jared Sullinger will not be the answer to the power forward dilemma the Raptors face. Fans would have liked to see the Raptors acquire a promising all star forward, but, in any other circumstance, the team would have had to give someone up on their end. By acquiring Sullinger at nearly $6 million for a single year, this was no longer necessary. For a player who is only entering his 5th year in the league and has put up solid numbers, Jared Sullinger hasn’t reached his ceiling yet and is a sure bargain for the Toronto Raptors.
Until now, it has been an uneventful off-season for the Raptors, but Jared Sullinger’s arrival in Toronto is a positive indicator that Ujiri’s patience might be paying off once again, as the Raptors are headed in the right direction.