Toronto Raptors: 3 best moves made so far this offseason

This Toronto Raptors offseason has been unlike any other in recent memory, as the club had to come to terms with the fact that Kyle Lowry is no longer on the team. That didn’t stop Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster from making moves that set this team up nicely for the next decade.

Despite the fact that they play in arguably the best division in the league in the Atlantic, the Raptors have positioned themselves well to make a run at a 2021 playoff spot. Considering how well they performed in Tampa before injuries and COVID-19, things are looking up in Toronto.

The Raptors were able to get something back in exchange for Lowry, while a pair of familiar faces were retained. With Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby back on the roster this year for Nick Nurse, look for Toronto to once again make a run at the postseason.

These 3 moves stand out as the best decisions Toronto made in an offseason that was laden with pitfalls and potentially questionable moves. They were able to restock in both the short and long term without overpaying.

3 best offseason moves the Toronto Raptors have made.

3. Getting Precious Achiuwa in the Lowry sign-and-trade.

Achiuwa was a former 5-star recruit that earned a first-round selection by the Heat in 2020 before getting flipped to Toronto in the Lowry deal. Achiuwa didn’t put up amazing numbers with Miami due to his limited playing time, but he could make an impact right away in Toronto.

Achiuwa might be used as a small-ball center during his first year with the Raptors, but his ability to run the floor, finish inside, and guard multiple positions have earned him comparisons to Draymond Green. If Toronto ends up with a player half as good, they absolutely nailed it here.

Precious Achiuwa will be an impact player for the Raptors.

The biggest barrier to success for Achiuwa will be developing a reliable jump shop, as he was basically limited to putbacks near the paint during his rookie year. However, Toronto seems to think they can take anyone with a substandard shot and make them respectable, and fixing Achiuwa may prove to be no different.

Khem Birch might’ve returned to the Raptors on a three-year contract, but the inexpensive $20 million price tag means that Toronto could move him to the bench if Achiuwa starts to develop at a rate faster than anyone else thought. Achiuwa has plenty of traits you can’t teach, like length, and that appeals to this developmental staff.