Toronto Raptors: 3 things to keep an eye on through the rest of 2020-21 season
By Ben Fisher
No. 1: A G League Addition
If the Raptors relinquish all team options, cap holds, and non-guaranteed deals for the 2021-22 season, five players will remain – Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Chris Boucher. Obviously, that scenario is unlikely, but it serves to highlight how much turnover is possible ahead of next season.
While Toronto has clearly not been an appealing landing spot for bought-out veterans in recent days, there are reasons to believe it could be an attractive destination for G League players to prove their worth at the NBA level.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that the club has a proven track record of G League success stories, including Raptors 905’s recent semifinal showing in the bubble, and smooth transitions to the big club, including Siakam, VanVleet and Boucher.
Could Alize Johnson join the Toronto Raptors?
Any such G League wish list starts with Johnson, who might not have a future in Brooklyn with the signings of Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, in spite of an eye-opening debut and a second 10-day contract.
A Raptors reunion would make sense for Johnson, but he will surely be courted by other NBA teams assuming the Nets are unable to find a way to keep him.
If he doesn’t come available again, it might be worth taking a second look at 23-year-old shot-blocker Donta Hall or gambling on G League Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton II as a late bloomer.