What should the Raptors rotation look like going forward in 2022?
By Mike Luciano
Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors should be extremely thankful that they have been able to leap out to a 21-19 record. Considering that VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are putting together All-Star campaigns even though they have the worst bench in the league.
The Raptors have been dealt a few curveballs this season. Due to some unfortunate injury luck, positive COVID-19 tests, and general underperformance, the Raptors have often struggled to make sure that they are putting nine or ten quality NBA players on the floor every night.
The Raptors might need to make some small tweaks to the rotation in order to survive in the next few weeks. With so many players failing to assert themselves as shooters or second-unit scorers, Nick Nurse will need to get very creative with how he divides up the minutes.
The Raptors have the right idea, for the most part, when it comes to devising the rotation. However, if they make just a few simple tweaks, that could be the difference in deciding a handful of wins here and there over the second half of the season.
The ideal Toronto Raptors rotation for 2022.
Guards
Fred VanVleet: 38 minutes
Gary Trent Jr: 31 minutes
Dalano Banton: 5 minutes
Malachi Flynn: 0 minutes
Goran Dragic: 0 minutes
The Raptors are so bereft of bench talent here that Banton has been all but excommunicated from the rotation, leaving VanVleet and Trent to shoulder an incredible load. Toronto needs to get Banton a little time to both aid his development and give their ball-handlers a rest.
Toronto has opted to use everyone from Siakam to Scottie Barnes as a primary ball-handler due to Flynn falling out of the rotation, and it’s hard to argue for Flynn’s inclusion given how disappointing he has been.
The Toronto Raptors lack guard depth apart from Fred VanVleet.
While VanVleet leads the league in minutes per game and Trent has been playing an increasingly important role, it’s hard to argue against taking time away from either of these two. Trent is nailing key 3-pointers regularly and VanVleet is making an All-Star charge.
With Goran Dragic providing as much offensive production as you, me, and your grandmother over the last month and change, don’t expect anything from him in the near future. At this point, just roll VanVleet and Trent out there for as long as possible and see what magic gets produced.