No. 2: SF Yuta Watanabe
Watanabe has quickly become a fan favorite among Toronto fans. Although he wasn’t playing with the same productivity after the Anthony Edwards’ poster, Watanabe has come alive as of late. In the Raptors recent thrashing of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Yuta notched a career-high in points with 14 points, while tallying five rebounds.
He, of course, followed that game up by setting another career-high by scoring 21 points against Orlando,
Watanabe is arguably the highest energy player on the Raptors roster. He will do his very best to guard every position, and does a very good job at it. His lateral quicks are amazing, allowing him to stay in front of offensive players and make things difficult for them.
Yuta Watanabe is impressing the Toronto Raptors
Currently, Watanabe has been splitting minutes with Rodney Hood since the trade. However, with Watanabe’s offensive game increasing each game, he can potentially steal Hood’s minutes as well.
Obviously, there is more opportunity with DeAndre’ Bembry out of the lineup, but with the productivity Watanabe is providing currently, it exceeds what Bembry would be giving if he was out there on the court.
All the Raptors need is for Watanabe to be a 3-and-D type player, and Yuta definitely has the tools to do so. With consistency improving with the more games he plays, it only grows more evident that the Raptors have found yet another diamond in the rough.