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Pros and Cons of the Toronto Raptors tanking for a star in 2022

By Matthew Eichhorn

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 25: Toronto Raptors huddle up ahead of their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on October 25, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 25: Toronto Raptors huddle up ahead of their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on October 25, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies wrestles for the ball with Dalano Banton #45, Precious Achiuwa #5 and Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors currently find themselves wedged between a rock and a hard place, as they sit 12th in the Eastern Conference amid a painful losing streak. With a young and exciting group, the Raptors have logged quality wins over some tough competition, but they have still dropped the ball against lesser opponents.

The Raptors have won just three of their last 13 games, giving them a worse record after 22 games than they had in Tampa. With Toronto struggling to recapture the momentum they picked up during their hot start, the conversation needs to be had on if it is in this team’s best interest to drop in the standings.

Masai Ujiri has made no secret of the fact this is a team that is building with an eye towards the future. While they have plenty of established stars like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam ready to do some damage, the lack of tremendous depth and veteran experience on this roster could be a sign that this team is not eyeing a deep playoff run in 2021-22.

Still neck and neck with other teams in the East hovering around the play-in bubble, the Raptors have shown glimpses of potential that could give them a fighting chance in the postseason. However, they are not a lock for the postseason.

Will the Toronto Raptors tank in 2021-22?

At this point in the Raptors timeframe, there is a multitude of factors that will determine how successful the team’s on-court product can be. Dwelling in the purgatory that is the middle of the Eastern Conference doesn’t do much in the way of building their team for the future barring some historic luck with the ping-pong balls.

The Raptors need to make a definitive effort towards winning or losing. Either go all out and try to win as many games as possible or lean into the tank and try to get the young guns prepped for 2022 and beyond. Here are the pros and cons of the Raptors embracing the tank this year.