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4 former Toronto Raptors having great starts to the 2021-22 season

By Jason Mills

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors walk on the court during the fourth quarter at Amalie Arena on March 28, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors walk on the court during the fourth quarter at Amalie Arena on March 28, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 03: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans, formerly of the Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors have had a much better start to their 2021-22 season than they did. After a loss to the Nets, the Raptors are 6-5. Even without the likes of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry on the roster, this team looks like it’s capable of going toe to toe with some of the best teams in the game.

With two rookies in lottery pick Scottie Barnes and second-round pick Dalano Banton making major contributions and the return of Pascal Siakam, the present and future are bright.

It would be remiss to forget the change over in the roster that has occurred over the last few seasons. DeRozan, Lowry, and countless others have moved on to greener pastures. Based on how they’ve started in 2021-22, it’s safe to say that the skills they developed in Toronto are serving them well elsewhere.

With that thought in mind, here is a look at four former Raptors who have had a solid start to the 2021/22 NBA season to date.

4. Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans

Originally drafted in 2011, Jonas Valanciunas was one of the few players the Raptors have ever drafted to play center who panned out well. The team waited a year for the Lithuanian center to make it to the NBA but he has proven himself to be a solid starting center in the NBA.

From 2013-2019, Valanciunas proved himself to be a key piece of the puzzle for a team that would eventually string seven winning seasons together resulting in meaningful playoff appearances. Unfortunately, the big man was sacrificed at the trade deadline in 2019 for Marc Gasol who became the final piece in the Raptors’ run to the 2019 NBA Championship.

After a quality run in Memphis, Valanciunas was traded to New Orleans in the offseason, where he has been one of the few solid performers on offense.

Former Toronto Raptors big Jonas Valanciunas is impressing the Pelicans.

Now, playing for his third team, he is averaging career highs in minutes, points, and rebounds per game. After hovering around a double-double average during his years in Toronto, it should come as no surprise to Raptors’ fans that he is on his way to a third consecutive season averaging double digits in points and rebounds.

When Zion Williamson returns to the Pelicans lineup, Valanciunas may see some of the high volumes of shots he walked into decrease. Still, after six and a half seasons in Toronto, it is nice to see Valanciunas having success and plenty of playing time.

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