3 realistic goals for Raptors’ second-year players in 2022-23
By Mike Luciano
Justin Champagnie: Score at least five points per game
Champagnie averaged 11.1 rebounds per game during his final season at Pitt, so Toronto expected him to come into the NBA and excel in that area. Still, there is a reason that a First Team All-ACC member (Barnes was Third Team) went undrafted in 2021, and that revolves around his offense.
Champagnie averaged just 2.3 points per game and lacked the ability to generate offense as a ball-handler. While he could have saved himself by showing off an improved jump shot, he only made 10 3-pointers all season long. Four of them came in one game against the Spurs.
Justin Champagnie needs to score more for the Toronto Raptors.
Champagnie will likely start outside the rotation, but the inevitable run of injuries could catapult him back into the lineup. If that happens, Champagnie needs to be better with the ball in his hands and/or more willing to rise up as a shooter. He attempted just 28 3-pointers.
Champagnie is always going to be a good rebounder and defender, but he isn’t going to move the needle in Toronto if he can’t become a better scorer. Progress might be incremental, but Champagnie will need to show Nurse something if he is going to sustain the good will he engendered.