Panic or Patience? 3 potentially concerning trends for the Raptors
By Mike Luciano
2. The lack of a backup point guard
The Raptors have one of the best point guards in the league in VanVleet, but their backups are…nonexistent at the moment. Toronto is barren at the moment that Barnes and Siakam are getting some legitimate minutes running the show when VanVleet makes one of his infrequent trips to the bench.
Malachi Flynn was supposed to be the backup to VanVleet given his solid rookie season, but he has regressed to the point where he is even struggling in the G League. Dalano Banton had the role locked up early in the season, but he’s been dropped from the rotation after hitting the rookie wall.
The Toronto Raptors need to give Fred VanVleet some rest.
VanVleet is near the top of the league in minutes per game, and that overuse may just wear him down at a very inopportune time late in the season. The Barnes and Siakam minutes at point guard are fun and unique, but will they be sustainable against some of the best teams in the East?
If the Raptors are going to look to make additions at the trade deadline, making sure that they get someone who can be a trusted VanVleet should be the top priority. Unless Flynn or Banton and up back in the rotation, it’s fair to wonder how far this bench can take this team.
Verdict: Panic