3 pivotal Masai Ujiri moves that made the Raptors a playoff team
By Mike Luciano
2. Insisting on Precious Achiuwa in Kyle Lowry talks
When the Raptors sent Kyle Lowry to the Heat, Toronto was insistent on procuring one of Miami’s top young assets. While Achiuwa was struggling to get much of anything done on offense in the first few weeks of the season, his second-half surge has been a treat to watch.
Achiuwa is nailing just above 40% of his 3-point attempts while shooting nearly four per game since the All-Star break. With his rebounding chops still present and his already impressive on-ball defense getting more refined, Achiuwa has been Toronto’s best bench player this season.
Precious Achiuwa keeps getting better for the Toronto Raptors.
The lack of frontcourt depth murdered any chance of the Raptors making the postseason last year. Need I bring up Alex Len and Aron Baynes? Just when it looked like Achiuwa was headed down that path once again, he turned things around after appearing in the Rising Stars game.
Adding a shooter might have helped the Raptors, but Achiuwa has helped swing the outcomes of games in the second half. Assuming that he comes into his third season with some extra refinement that sees his turnovers reduced, Achiuwa should take that next step.