The 2021-22 NBA season has come to a close for the Toronto Raptors, as they lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers in six games. Despite their surprising run to the postseason, speculation has begun to surround the Raptors’ star duo of Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam.
In the regular season, VanVleet was named an NBA All-Star for the first time, while Siakam put up an All-NBA-worthy second half of the season. With the Raptors firing on all cylinders, it looked like this could be the year the homegrown duo would make their presence felt in the association.
VanVleet battled nagging injuries during the playoffs, which ended sidelining him for the last two games of the series. When active, VanVleet did not look like himself averaging only 13 points per game. In the case of the fully-healthy Siakam, he started slowly before doing his best to pull off an impossible comeback.
With Siakam and VanVleet approaching the tail-end of their peaks in the next few seasons, the Raptors will need to examine if a team led by Siakam inside and VanVleet outside can contend in the East within the upcoming half-decade.
Can the Toronto Raptors contend with Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet?
Playoff History
Since the 2019 championship season, the Raptors have only managed to win one playoff series. 2022 was the first time the Raptors’ dynamic duo was put to the test with no Kawhi Leonard or Kyle Lowry to lead the way, and they ultimately came up short.
While both Siakam and VanVleet were instrumental in securing the Raptors their first NBA championship, they both have an individually disappointing playoff series on their resume. The duo faced their first actual test this playoff series, and VanVleet’s injury coupled with poor performances against Tyrese Maxey sealed their doom.
The Toronto Raptors need more from these two in the playoffs.
The duo’s lack of production together was highlighted as they put together an all-time stinker in Game 3, combining for 24 points on 9-29 shooting from the field. This kind of performance showcased to the world that there are definite weaknesses within the Raptors’ core.
Even though Siakam had a breakthrough postseason run after VanVleet was removed from the lineup due to injury, we need to see both players on the court together before any final judgments can be made.
Had VanVleet been at full health, perhaps this outcome would be different. At this point, however, all we can do is point fingers and speculate as to what this pair’s ceiling is.
The New DeRozan & Lowry?
In the regular season, this is a compliment. In the postseason, not so much. With a bitter pain still in the hearts of Raptors faithful, the fan-favorite duo of Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan continually came up short in the playoffs. After being swept for the second year in a row by the LeBron James-led Cavaliers, a change was needed.
While the move to acquire Kawhi Leonard in exchange for DeRozan came with great scrutiny, the banner that hangs in Scotiabank Arena is a reminder of the great success that followed this move.
With Siakam and VanVleet, rarely both performing well simultaneously, it makes fans of the game wonder if maybe another blockbuster trade will be needed for the future.
The Toronto Raptors have made significant moves in the past.
We have seen instant turnarounds before when making a blockbuster trade, so if the Raptors front office decides they need a change to truly contend, there is a non-zero chance that one of these two dynamos could be moved in exchange for a bigger prize elsewhere.
Trades of this magnitude are incredibly risky, however. Past deals in the NBA have demonstrated the total collapse they can trigger. DeRozan and Lowry were given five seasons to lead the Raptors before the trade. If Siakam and VanVleet are to have a fair crack at leading this team deep into the playoffs, they may only get a few more chances.
Supporting Cast
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and this goes double for championship-contending teams. While the star players are what carry a team, the supporting cast of role players is what can make or break a playoff run.
This postseason, the Raptors saw excellent output from members of the bench unit like Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher, as well as great play from the Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes.
With a first-year player arguably the third-best player on the team, this is not a core built to win now. The Raptors continually struggled to battle down low against bigger opponents due to their lack of center depth, and they had their troubles shooting the ball from deep.
Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet need better role players.
If Siakam and VanVleet are to have a legitimate chance to take the Raptors to the promised land, the team needs to reevaluate the supporting cast. Siakam and VanVleet will take the heat, but Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri need to take a close look at this team and find a way to support their dynamic duo if they want to contend in the next few years.
It’s too early to tell if a core built around Siakam and VanVleet is good enough to contend. With both players under contract until 2024, the clock is ticking. Time will tell if this duo is up to snuff as the Raptors hope to make a return to the playoffs in the 2022-23 season.