Toronto Raptors: 3 players who will experience a role change in 2021
By Mike Luciano
If you had to sum up the Toronto Raptors offseason in one word, “transformative” could easily suffice. Kyle Lowry is now a member of the Miami Heat, and players like OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet will have to take on even more responsibility on both ends to make up for him.
The Raptors are simultaneously trying to tinker with the roster to get back to the postseason and go forward with their youth movement, as the selection of Scottie Barnes and addition of Precious Achiuwa shows a commitment to athletic, versatile youngsters that could serve them well.
While plenty of the big names are going to return for Toronto in 2021-22, one inescapable truth that the Raptors will have to confront this season is the fact that several of their big names need to reinvent their games, as they will be asked to step up in the wake of Lowry’s departure.
After an offseason of change orchestrated by Masai Ujiri, these three Toronto Raptors might need to get used to different roles in the 2021 season. Doing so effectively could have a tangible effect on the win-loss column.
3 Toronto Raptors players who will change their roles in 2021-22.
3. OG Anunoby
Raptors fans know Anunoby as one of the best defensive players in the game, capable of guarding all five positions with success. While he isn’t the best shot-creator for himself just yet, he is a much-improved scorer, as his 15.9 points per game last year and 40% success rate from 3-point range proves.
Anunoby will be called upon to take another leap forward this year as an offensive player without Lowry for the whole year and Siakam for the first month or so. Being a solid spot-up shooter is great, but can he generate buckets for himself on a night-in, night-out basis?
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1385028396074287107
OG Anunoby needs to improve as a shot-creator for the Toronto Raptors.
Anunoby converted on just 32% of his dribble-jumpers last season, a figure that needs to shoot skyward if the Raptors going to have one of the better offenses in the East.
With a roster full of questionable offensive talents and young players that need some more refinement, Anunoby most evolve from a defensive standout with a solid 3-point shot into a complete two-way player who can serve as a primary offensive generator on some nights.
Anunoby is a borderline untouchable member of the Raptors’ future, and everything that we’ve seen from him should give fans confidence that he will take that step this year.