Rebuild the Raptors, or blow up the current roster? Even after retaining several key free agents, the debate continues.
The Raptors aren’t strong enough to compete with the arms race happening out West. They are also too old to dominate the future NBA. This puts Masai Ujiri in a difficult spot- barring he does not choose to run to the Big Apple beforehand.
The Raptors have enjoyed possibly the greatest two year stretch of the Franchise in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.
In these seasons,the Raps have enjoyed back to back 50 win seasons. In addition, the Raptors have had home court advantage in the opening rounds of the playoffs. These feats are great but are not the ultimate goal. This is because the ultimate goal- a championship is still some ways to go.
Masai has a Dilemma
For this reason, this puts president Masai Ujiri in a difficult predicament. He is at a crossroads in terms of what he should do with the franchise.
Does he focus on making this current team better or set his sights on rebuilding for the future?
Can he take a page out of the Celtics’s playbook and somehow do both simultaneously?
Despite Ujiri’s respectable attempt at constructing a team to compete with the Cavs, it is clear that this core group is not enough.
If Masai fails to make a bold move in either direction, the Raptors will face similar struggles to that of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clips, this off-season, have many questions about their roster and many people are in the hot-seat from the top-down. The Raps will face similar questions if not already hearing the murmurs.
The Raps Should Retool Completely
Raptor fans, close your eyes. I am about to dish the harsh truth.
The Raptors are in trouble either way.
The Cavs and Warriors will rule the league for the next 6-8 years. I believe that the Boston Celtics Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves are in the best position to compete for a championship following the regression of the Dubs and Cavs.
But here’s why the Raps are in less trouble by a rebuild.
Even with Kyle Lowry agreeing to return and a lack of stars willing to come to Toronto – the rebuild is the best bet at a future finals appearance.
Perhaps it does not need to be a full on rebuild at first. You might want to keep DeMar, Norm Powell and other assets. Though, there must be a concerted effort to bring in younger talent.
This can only be done effectively through resigning players that still have value like Lowry and Serge Ibaka, then shipping them for some picks right now while their value is still high.
Masai will get no return on their value if he waits too long to ship these players. Toronto is already in a tough predicament with regards to the Demarre Carroll situation. Carroll’s inefficiency and injury-riddled stint with the Raps has only hurt his trade value.
What does it take?
A rebuild done the right way can allow the Raptors, like the Celtics, to still be somewhat competitive in the East. Also, DeMar has the star power to help the squad still remain afloat in a weak east.
And perhaps with a culture reset focused on team play, ball movement could help the Raps win a respectable number of games playing a deep rotation.
The Celtics and 76ers have patiently trusted the process which will clearly pay dividends in the post LeBron and Warriors era.
I anticipate that Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons will be the next best 1-2 punch in the East and could be a similar duo to Kyrie Irving and LeBron James.
With the Celtics giving up the first pick, they picking up even more tools for rebuilding while still picking up a stud in Jayson Tatum who could grow into a similar player to Paul Pierce.
This puts the Raptors in a difficult predicament, as they are like the teenager at a party consisting of only adults and toddlers. They are too weak to compete with the current superteams while not making the moves necessary to prepare for the future.
The Raps must decide who they want to be and fully commit to it.
Conclusion
The future of the Raps is frankly not looking too bright. They have a mediocre team with not very many young players with potential.
However, a rebuild seems like the step in the right direction. Improved scouting and the analytics movement makes drafting flops like Kwame Brown less likely than in the past.
At the same time, the amount of young talent only seems to grow exponentially. Players are more talented and versatile as ever. The game has also taken off globally.
Rebuilds can often be a win-win. This is because teams are not harshly criticized for lack of success in the present because they take solace in hope for the future.
Fans of the Boston Celtics have rationalized this way for a while. However, we are now seeing the restlessness of fans finally come with Danny Ainge’s reluctance to buy into the present.
Raptors fans in a rebuild might be even be more antsy because the Raptors have yet to parade with rings in downtown Toronto . We’ve only recently experienced deep playoff success.
With that being said, it takes risking big and backlash to win big. It’s time, like Tom Dwan, that we go all-in with the hand we’ve been dealt and live with the results.