1 advantage Raptors have over comparable playoff contenders
By Mike Luciano
Hawks: Veteran backups
The Hawks managed to add Dejounte Murray without giving up most of their bench, but that doesn’t mean that the roster is very deep overall. Murray, Trae Young, and John Collins lead a great starting lineup, but their overall bench quality will be hinging on first-rounders AJ Griffin and Jalen Johnson.
Aaron Holiday is as average as average gets as a backup, Bogdan Bogdanovic is coming off a regression last year, and Justin Holiday’s numbers can be viewed as the byproduct of chucking shots on moribund teams. Mo Harkless is not moving the needle. One ill-timed injury could unravel this bench.
Do the Hawks have better depth than the Toronto Raptors?
On the other hand, Toronto reaffirmed their commitment to experience and versatility on the bench by luring Otto Porter Jr. away from Golden State while re-signing Chris Boucher and Thad Young. Depth was an issue for them last year, but they addressed it in the offseason.
Young is going to cause problems for the Raptors, as he has done in the past. Throwing Murray into the equation alongside an excellent frontcourt will help Atlanta make the playoffs. However, Toronto may have the more complete team, as the Hawks hope that Griffin and Johnson develop quickly to cover up holes.