Toronto Raptors: 3 position battles to watch this offseason

The Toronto Raptors appear to be almost done when it comes to making new additions, as players like Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa coming into the fold have tried to offset the prospect of the first season in nine years without Kyle Lowry.

While the Raptors will likely have a starting lineup featuring Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. in the backcourt, OG Anunoby at small forward, and the Pascal Siakam/Khem Birch duo at center, it remains to be seen how the rest of the rotation shakes out. The Raptors’ bench is going to be full of healthy competition.

The Raptors are still in need of someone to emerge as a scorer off the bench, both in the backcourt and down in the paint. Between now and the season opener in October, Toronto will have some self-assessment to do if they want to put the best combination of players out there every night.

These 3 position battles will shape how the rotation looks in both the short and long term for Nick Nurse and the squad. Nurse trusting the wrong player in this situation could be a critical mistake.

3 Toronto Raptors position battles to keep an eye on.

3. Malachi Flynn vs. Goran Dragic

Despite some incendiary comments about his ambitions for the 2021 season that he quickly walked back, Dragic remains a Raptor for the time being. The 35-year-old will be coming off of the bench, though he might have to compete for minutes with Flynn, a second-year guard looking to continue improving.

While Dragic has experience at the shooting guard spot, he’s been a primary ball-handler for essentially his entire time with the Miami Heat, and it might be tough to teach an old dog new tricks at this age. Flynn played at the 2-guard a bit during his rookie year, but he looks like a primary ball-handler, and that could make it tough for both to see the floor at the same time.

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How will the Toronto Raptors accommodate Goran Dragic and Malachi Flynn?

The Raptors should give preference to Flynn over Dragic, as Goran’s stint with Toronto is likely to be a quick one-year stopgap, while Flynn has the potential to emerge as a contributor that helps out for several years down the line. Dragic is still an effective scorer, so he might need to return to the off-ball role he manned during his time in Phoenix.

Despite how dominant and in control Flynn looked at times in the Summer League, he needs to show that his improved offensive game will translate against NBA defenders. If he doesn’t Nurse might be forced to go back to Dragic as the backup point guard while leaving Flynn on the bench.

2. Khem Birch vs. Precious Achiuwa vs. Chris Boucher

Birch is one of the team’s five projected starters, as he parlayed an impressive stint with the Raptors following an Orlando buyout into a three-year contract, but he has some competition for his spot. Both Achiuwa and Boucher will get minutes this season, though it remains unclear how they will work with Birch.

While Birch is more of a traditional low-post center, Boucher’s long, ropy frame has enabled him to play as a traditional power forward, a smaller center (with mixed results), and an oversized small forward. Achiuwa will likely play as a smaller center, though he is just scratching the surface of what he can be at this level.

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Precious Achiuwa could change the Toronto Raptors’ frontcourt.

On one hand, Birch’s contract and ability to provide rebounding inside is why he will likely start, but Achiuwa and Boucher are both viewed as assets Toronto will lean on for years to come, and juggling all of that playing time will be a challenge that Nurse has to confront this year.

Boucher was one of the best sixth men in the game last year, Birch finally gave the Raptors a true starting center, and Achiuwa’s athletic ability makes him one of the more promising young big men in the East.

On one hand, it’s a good problem to have this many talented bigs, but deciding how minutes are allotted might be challenging.

1. Scottie Barnes vs…everyone

The Raptors’ selection of Barnes wasn’t viewed as poor in the eyes of some skeptics because of his lack of potential, as he has all the tools to be an instant impact player on both ends. What made it a bit odd to some doubters was the fact that it might take some time to figure out where he is best suited in the NBA.

Barnes played point guard in college, has the height and handles of a wing that dominates possession, yet could even end up playing some power forward and center due to his wingspan. He’ll likely begin his Raptors career on the bench, but where he will make his first incision into the starting lineup remains unknown.

What position suits Toronto Raptors stud Scottie Barnes best?

Every player in this starting lineup should be looking over their shoulder at Barnes, as they would not have picked him No. 4 overall with the intent of making him a glue guy off of the bench. Look for Nurse to do a mad scientist impression, trying to stick Barnes in as many weird lineups as possible.

Even the players mentioned above should be eyeing Barnes. There’s a non-zero chance he gets backup PG minutes over Flynn and Dragic, all while potentially stealing power forward minutes from Boucher or Achiuwa. The possibilities are endless, and that’s exactly what is so exciting about him.