Raptors: 3 unique lineups to look out for in 2021-22 season
2. The (Almost) all 6-9 Lineup
- Scottie Barnes
- Yuta Watanabe
- Pascal Siakam
- Chris Boucher
- Precious Achiuwa
While at a glance this seems like an oddly assorted group to run as a five-man lineup, this group might be the truest essence of a positionless lineup, as all five players should be able to switch and defend multiple positions in the name of causing mass chaos and a bounty of turnovers.
With all five players possessing terrific height and length, they would be able to terrorize teams defensively while also creating several mismatches offensively against small ball teams. This lineup also would be able to space the floor well, while still having the athleticism to take the ball to the rim.
The Toronto Raptors should lean into their positionless movement.
One downside to this lineup would be the backcourt. Barnes is not a great shooter right now, Yuta Watanabe won’t scare anyone as an offensive player just yet, and Achiuwa still has a long way to go outside of the paint. That shouldn’t necessarily stop them from unleashing this lineup upon the unsuspecting league.
The Raptors’ fixation on adding long, lean wings was evident this offseason and is likely a trend that will continue. This would historically be a tall lineup to run, making this lineup one of the most unique rotations we could potentially see this season. If it works, Nurse may have to lean on this to get them through situations where they need a stop.