3 problems Raptors must clean up before the postseason

2. Frontcourt logjam

When everyone is healthy, the Raptors will bring four big men off of the bench. With Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher providing a young man’s touch, veterans like Khem Birch and Thad Young can offer a more experienced perspective. However, a shake-up might be in order.

The Raptors have not been immune to some slow second quarter starts, some of which came as a result of trying to force-feed some spoor shooters extended minutes. With Achiuwa shooting the lights out and Young making all the veteran plays one expects from someone with his pedigree, those two aren’t leaving the lineup.

Toronto Raptors: Will Khem Birch be axed from the rotation?

Birch seems like the most likely player to see his playing time cut down. Given his declining production and lack of astonishing athleticism, sitting Birch down to lean on Achiuwa and Young. This could help Toronto create a truncated rotation without putting an exorbitant amount of stress on the starters.

While the Raptors’ bench has been a source of frequent irritation this season, the last few weeks have seen them string together much more composed performances. Unfortunately, Nurse’s current bench situation might not be super effective in the postseason. This could prompt a change.