The Toronto Raptors were able to fill most of their holes in free agency, but they did not change much when it comes to getting an extra point guard behind Fred VanVleet. Toronto appears content to run it back with names like Malachi Flynn and Dalano Banton on the second unit.
While VanVleet was doing heroic stiff as he shouldered a very tough scoring load last year, his body started to betray him later in the season. Considering his struggles with managing a nagging knee injury, his workload was often cited as one of the reasons he started to gradually slip near the end.
Toronto might be more committed to the “anyone can play anywhere” philosophy than any other team in the league, but the security that comes with having a backup point guard that can handle these duties will only make things easier when the calendar flips to April.
As it stands right now, the Raptors have a handful of options they could use to make sure VanVleet has adequate depth behind him. If they don’t make any massive changes, expect Toronto to use one of these three backups as VanVleet’s chief deputy in the rotation.
3 ways the Toronto Raptors can back up Fred VanVleet.
3. Leaning on Malachi Flynn
We’ve gone over the supposed demise of Flynn before, especially considering some of the standout performances we’ve seen in Summer League. However, with Toronto apparently making no immediate effort to move him in a trade, it appears he will have a role to play in his third NBA season.
Flynn went from scoring 7.5 points per game to a puny 4.3 per contest. While he showed some improved defensive hustle, that likely won’t be enough to make up for some very poor showings on offense. There’s reason to believe 2022-23 could be his last chance.
Toronto Raptors: Malachi Flynn will try to get back on track.
Flynn has a Rookie of the Month trophy on his belt, so there is some talent there waiting to be unearthed in the right system. Flynn has too much raw talent to just give up on in the eyes of some optimists, but Nick Nurse needs to start seeing results.
At his best, Flynn brings a dynamic nature and sizzle to the game that is admirable. If this is finally going to be the year where the San Diego State product eventually learns to stick, he must show a commitment toward being efficient at the rim without sacrificing his defensive hustle.
2. The Dalano Banton/Armoni Brooks duo
Banton and Brooks have had more eyes on them in Summer League than any player not named Christian Koloko, and the results were fairly volatile. Banton committed turnovers, but his offensive game looked much better. Brooks ran hot and cold, but his highs were lethal.
Banton and Brooks remain almost comically different in terms of their play styles. Banton is the long-limbed defender, and Brooks is the skinny sniper. Their talents could be needed to fill in for VanVleet in the season should they win training camp battles.
Dalano Banton, Armoni Brooks could help the Toronto Raptors.
Brooks might not be Gary Payton on the defensive end of the floor, but his hot streaks from deep sure are tantalizing. Banton is going to struggle with shooting consistently, but his ability to rebound and defend remains exceptional. Think of Banton as the yin to Brooks’ yang.
While both players are currently on non-guaranteed contracts, there’s value in keeping both of them around after such a strong showing in Summer League play. Using this two-headed committee approach is still better than leaning on VanVleet for 42 minutes in January.
1. Scottie Barnes or Pascal Siakam
The Raptors are one of the few teams in the league who are crazy enough to play Barnes and Pascal Siakam at point guard and center in the course of a given half. Not only did Toronto lean on this particular strategy fairly frequently, but they saw both perform well beyond excellence.
With Thad Young and Chris Boucher back in the lineup and Otto Porter Jr. coming to town, the rotation is seemingly set at nine people. With Nick Nurse famously running a tight rotation, Barnes might need to return to his point-forward hybrid role regularly in 2022-23.
The Toronto Raptors could use Scottie Barnes at PG.
Barnes already has the passing skill to run the offense, and he now has a full year of experience in Nurse’s scheme. Even Siakam managed to do a passable job when he was put to the sword early in the season. If it worked once, why would you call for a drastic shake-up?
If Toronto is going to lean on this “Project 6-9” dogma, why not go all in? Why try to fit a square peg into a round hole when you have a skeleton key like Siakam or Barnes ready to do the job? Having a 6-9 freak at point guard could be a game-changer late in the season.