Raptors’ struggles should serve as a wake-up call for Masai Ujiri

The Toronto Raptors went from one of the most exciting teams in the league and a potential No. 6 seed candidate to a squad that is struggling to beat some of the worst teams in the league. Masai Ujiri traded a first-round pick to push towards the playoffs, but he hasn’t seen the team take the steps he wanted.

The Raptors are now 2-5 since the All-Star break, with losses against the Pistons and Magic serving as reminders that this team has some serious holes. With Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby both sidelined due to injury, Sunday’s primetime loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers may have been the most individually frustrating game in weeks.

The Raptors’ lack of shooting was on full display for the world to see, as a few late Chris Boucher 3-pointers overshadowed the fact that Toronto was 2-18 from 3-point range at one point. In both the short and long term, this lack of 3-point marksmanship is going to handicap this team.

Ujiri is beyond reproach as a team builder. After all, turning Toronto into a champion will help you earn that title. However, if Ujiri wants to get this team out of the play-in doldrums next season, he needs to spend most of the offseason adding as many shooters off the bench as possible.

Masai Ujiri needs to give the Toronto Raptors more shooting.

When healthy, the Raptors have enough shooting to get by. VanVleet and Anunoby are well above-average in that area, while Gary Trent Jr. can be borderline elite when he’s in a groove. However, when any one of those three is either sidelined or ineffective, Toronto’s offensive skill goes down the drain.

Over the last three losses, Toronto is shooting just 29% from 3-point range. Even with Achiuwa making strides as a shooter, the lack of spacing on the floor at any given moment can be painful at times. The age-old trick of forcing a team to shoot well enough to abandon a zone defense has helped opposing teams befuddle Toronto.

The signing of Armoni Brooks at least shows that the front office is acknowledging that the shooting is an issue that needs to be rectified.

With a high second-round draft pick that could be used on more perimeter talent, enough money coming off of the books to make some big signings, and an obvious open wound that is holding this team’s ceiling back, shooting must be the top priority this offseason.

Ujiri has found gems like VanVleet and Norman Powell despite lacking premium picks while having the foresight to trade for Trent last year. No one is doubting Ujiri and Nick Nurse’s ability to identify shooting talent. Still, for Toronto to be as good as they can be next year, they need to beef up the backcourt in the direst fashion possible.