Being underrated is nothing new to the Toronto Raptors or their fanbase, especially when they’re in the postseason picture. How many teams that have a championship in the last five years and are fresh off a 48-win season get talked about this infrequently?
The Raptors have an All-Star point guard in Fred VanVleet, an All-NBA player in Pascal Siakam, and the Rookie of the Year in Scottie Barnes on the roster. Despite all of that, some of the bookmakers over in Las Vegas appear to be banking on a slight regression from Toronto.
The Raptors’ collection of tertiary scorers and role players rank among the league’s best, as Nick Nurse did a wonderful of making sure that all of these standouts developed while still giving Siakam and VanVleet the diet of shots they need to succeed.
These three Toronto Raptors remain incredibly underrated by the basketball media landscape. If the Raptors make some noise in the postseason and all of their role players take a step forward under Nurse’s watch, the rest of the NBA should finally be made well aware of how deep and talented this team is.
3 most underrated Toronto Raptors players
3. Precious Achiuwa
Achiuwa was always going to be a curious evaluation. His defensive versatility looked like it was bestowed upon him for the exact purpose of playing under Ujiri, but he was painfully raw as a scorer and finisher. The second half of the season worked wonders with regard to how Achiuwa performed.
Averaging 12.2 points per game after the All-Star break is one thing, and making 39% of your 3-point attempts in that stretch one year after attempting just one triple is another. Doing both of those things simultaneously while remaining one of the best defenders on a defense-first team is exceptional.
Toronto Raptors: Precious Achiuwa is a quality big man.
Achiuwa remains a defensive stalwart, as he relishes the task of guarding some of the opposing team’s best players. That rare short-area explosion makes him one of the few young defenders in the league for whom the “positionless” label on defense is by no means hyperbole.
Achiuwa still has a ways to go on offense due to his iffy play around the rim, but the fact that Toronto chose not to add a big name at the center position speaks to just how valuable they think Achiuwa can be. If he can commit one or two post moves to memory, Precious could get the nitro boost he has been looking for.
2. Gary Trent Jr.
Trent has already been put through plenty in the NBA. Just 23 years old, he’s been viewed as a second-round lottery ticket, promising young Damian Lillard co-star, and defense-deficient gunner. After arriving in Toronto following the Norman Powell trade with Portland, Trent has stepped on the accelerator.
Trent averaged 18.3 points per game last year, serving as one of the few standout 3-point shooters on a team that never seemed to get the shooting pop they were looking for. Few guards in the league, let alone 23-year-old ones with limited shot attempts, have that kind of production.
The Toronto Raptors are leaning on Gary Trent Jr. heavily.
Trent’s defense was so pathetic in Portland that they felt comfortable ditching him for Powell. Just a year and a half later, Trent is a pesky turnover machine who ranked near the top of the league in steals and deflections. That turnaround was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
While the Raptors might not be the most dynamic offensive team at the moment, Trent’s ability to make the Ball Don’t Stop devotees on Raptors Twitter gush whenever he creates from the midrange is held in high regard. One more year under Nurse will help Trent cash in when his deal is up.
1. OG Anunoby
You could pick up any hypothetical “underrated” list from the last three years, and Anunoby’s name will be fixed at or near the top of that ranking. Anunoby’s status as an elite defender and improving shooter has only improved over the last few seasons with Toronto.
Anunoby may have had some injuries that slowed him down during his tenure with the Raptors. However, he still managed to put together a respectable 17.3 points per game while maintaining his unique defensive skills. Anunoby’s quiet demeanor might contribute to his relative anonymity.
OG Anunoby keeps making plays for the Toronto Raptors.
Anunoby has been fighting for a bigger role on offense, as he is putting up these numbers despite being anywhere from the third to the fifth scoring opinion on any given gameday. That lack of volume is preventing him from putting up the box score numbers that would turn the rest of the NBA’s head.
Those who watch the Raptors regularly can see that Anunoby’s defensive versatility, never-ending motor when he’s on the floor, and continuously expanded offensive toolbox are three of the main reasons the Raptors are where they are. Let’s hope that 2022-23 is the year Anunoby finally gets his due across the league.