3 former Toronto Raptors having the best years of their career
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have remade their roster extensively over the last few seasons, moving off names like DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas in pursuit of a title. After all of that wheeling and dealing, a Kawhi Leonard-led team finally gave Toronto a championship ring.
Masai Ujiri has really stepped up his efforts to change the shape of this team in order to position them well for the future. The only players that were a member of the inaugural championship team in 2019 that are still on the squad are Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Chris Boucher.
Saying goodbye to role players and stars alike may not be easy considering the contributions that they made to the squad, but sometimes the requisite change of scenery is exactly what these guys need to kick their careers into overdrive.
These 3 former Raptors are having the best individual seasons of their careers. While some might view it as bittersweet that these players aren’t still in town, it’s nice to see players that used to suit up for Toronto having success in what has been a very chaotic season.
3 former Toronto Raptors who are thriving elsewhere.
3. Stanley Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
Johnson played with Toronto for two seasons, but his performance on offense left a ton to be desired. The former lottery pick averaged just 3.8 points per game on 38% shooting with the Raptors. It looked like it was going to be very difficult for Johnson to wiggle his way back into the NBA.
Perhaps the only silver lining in the NBA’s COVID-19 replacement player policy is the fact that G League and fringe NBA players are getting chances to show they belong in the pros. Johnson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he’s had one of the absolute best stints of his career.
Toronto Raptors: Stanley Johnson may have earned a spot with LA.
In five games, three of which have been starts, Johnson is averaging 6.8 points per game on 46% shooting while picking up 1.2 steals per game. Those numbers might be impressive enough for Johnson to earn a contract with a playoff team like the Lakers for the rest of the season.
Johnson has scored more points in Detroit and put together efficient games in New Orleans, but the combination of his quality offensive play and trademark defense is making him a potential bench player in Los Angeles has been a very unusual and promising turn of events.