Toronto Raptors: Pros and cons of Nick Nurse’s bench reshuffle

Con: Yuta Watanabe has been benched. Who backs-up OG Anunoby?

Watanabe is a fan favorite, as the Japanese sensation endeared himself to Raptors fans with his effort on the defensive end, ability to block shots, and non-stop effort. Unfortunately, Watanabe has come along too slowly on the offensive end, as Watanabe has made just 31% of his shots this season.

Watanabe didn’t play at all against Utah, with Watson assuming his role off of the bench. However, the Raptors have a very unique power forward in OG Anunoby, and Watanabe often served as his backup. What happens now that Yuta is potentially out of the rotation.

Will the Raptors go back to Yuta Watanabe?

Watanabe might earn his way back into the rotation, as Watson lacks the size and Aron Baynes the mobility to make up for No. 3 whenever he takes a rest. Unfortunately, only Yuta himself can put himself back in the lineup, and his offensive game needs to be improved in a pretty significant way.

Watanabe is a decent 3-point shooter, but he needs to find a way to improve his finishing at the rim and discover some way to create off of the dribble. If he does that, he could give Toronto a solid defender off the bench. Without it, Yuta might collect dust on the bench.