Time is running out on the Toronto Raptors’ playoff hopes for the 2020-21 season and, if the past three games are any indication, a turn-around in performance isn’t imminent. As our initial mock draft makes clear, attention is starting to turn towards the summer for the next phase in the rebuild.
Newer Raptors fans may have the luxury of being unfamiliar with this state of being – basically playing out the string of a disappointing season while remaining trapped between yearning for better lottery odds and instinctively wanting the team to succeed.
However, more seasoned fans will surely find some familiarity in this feeling, hearkening back to pre-2013 days when Toronto all too regularly found themselves out of the playoff mix.
As those fans know, there’s always at least something to root for, even if that something isn’t as straightforward as wanting your team to score more points than the other team.
The Toronto Raptors have been through a lot in 2020-21
The end of a lost season, which certainly seems to be where we’re heading, can offer something of a sneak preview, providing playing opportunities for young, developing talent.
And if those opportunities just happen to dovetail with offering rest for veterans and further aiding the club’s draft lottery positioning, then all the better.
Let’s take a look at three things worth keeping an eye on over the final 25 games of the season.
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.
No. 2: The 2020 Draft Picks
Increased floor time for the Raptors’ 2020 draft picks, Flynn and Jalen Harris, might already be underway, albeit in earnest. Flynn was on court for a career-high 18:21 on Monday night against the Detroit Pistons, the third consecutive game in which he’s had more than 10 minutes.
And while his five points, four rebounds and two assists in a 14-point loss won’t bring about any “M-V-P!” chants, the 22-year-old does seem to be slowly building back up his confidence and assertiveness at the NBA level.
A spike in production from Flynn would have residual benefits throughout the organization. Team management will certainly be interested to see what they can count on from the San Diego State product heading into next year, so impactful performances now could carry important momentum moving forward.
More minutes for the rookie point guard would also help ease the burden on VanVleet, whose injury scare on Monday night stands as a reminder of his workload as the third-highest minutes logger in the NBA.
How will Jalen Harris perform for the Toronto Raptors?
As for Harris, a bad hip has kept the second-rounder sidelined of late, the latest chapter in what has been an injury and inconsistency-plagued rookie campaign that has made it tough to get a proper read on what he brings to the table.
Provided he recovers soon, the 50% three-point shooter in the G League bubble could quickly become a go-to option among the thin second unit of the Raptors.
No. 1: Is Gary Trent Jr. a Part of the Core?
Anyone comparing the respective post-deadline production of Gary Trent Jr. with the Raptors and Norman Powell in Portland is missing the point.
This trade’s immediate aftermath was always going to skew in favor of the Blazers – that’s why they were the buyers and Toronto were the sellers. Still, the next 25 games loom large for the deal’s key return piece as the club gets a handle on what they have in the 22-year-old.
Since arriving, Trent has been touted as an elite three-point marksman with proven defensive abilities, with drawbacks coming in shot creation and scoring prowess beyond the three-ball.
Unfortunately, that reputation seems largely built on an impressive showing in the Disney bubble last season. From a 41.7% mark from three in the bubble, he is down to 38.8% this season and just 23.5% as a Raptor.
How will Gary Trent Jr. perform as a Toronto Raptors guard?
Trent’s upside here is intriguing, particularly given that he was acquired for a player in Powell who likely wasn’t sticking around past this season. That said, the pending restricted free agent’s value will also be contingent on how he performs relative to his next contract.
An extended look the rest of the way (he’s already averaging 32 minutes in his first three games) should give the organization a better sense of what they have in the newcomer.