The Toronto Raptors knew that they couldn’t go into the 2022 season with the same subpar bench from last year and convince their fanbase that they were trying to take a step forward. Bringing back Thad Young and Chris Boucher was a solid decision, but Toronto needed one more X-factor in their lineup.
Just a few months after Otto Porter Jr. won a championship with the Golden State Warriors, the Raptors were able to lure him over to Toronto with the promise of being one of the most impactful players in the team’s new rotation. He’ll provide the boost of shooting this team needed.
Toronto has one of the best starting lineups in the league, but their odds of making some noise in the suddenly extra robust Eastern Conference hinge on getting some extra support from their collection of backups. Nick Nurse has to be aware of the undue burden he placed on his starters.
While this new-look bench should be much better than last year’s group (especially considering how some of the younger members of this bunch have improved), there is still reason to be a little bit skeptical of how they perform. Should Raptors fans feel confident in how the bench will gel?
Toronto Raptors confidence meter: How good is the bench?
Very Confident: Precious Achiuwa, Thad Young
Achiuwa would have been as far down on this list as possible if this article was written in January, as he was a negative on offense. With his two-way dominance from last year established following a rise in 3-point attempts and efficiency, Achiuwa may end up being the first man off the bench.
Achiuwa was only a few ticks under 40% from 3-point range after the All-Star break, and he paired that efficiency with lethal versatility that helped him play well against some of the game’s biggest names. Achiuwa’s upward development is so enticing for Toronto in the short term.
Toronto Raptors: Expect big things from Precious Achiuwa, Thad Young.
Young will not be the elite scorer he was in his days with Philadelphia, but he proved to be a seamless fit on this roster. His rebounding and finishing are both solid, but he’s really made his mark as a solid connector who sets his teammates up with good passes.
Young fits in perfectly with Toronto’s schematic demands, which is likely a huge part of why Masai Ujiri decided to bring him back. Young has been around this game for a very long time, which will help instill in him the values needed to be the veteran rock on this young team.
Somewhat Confident: Chris Boucher, Otto Porter Jr.
Boucher was brought back on a three-year contract. This is a great development for him personally, as he came from an improbable beginning and earned eight figures worth of guaranteed money. While a strong finish to the season, is it fair to ask questions about how he will perform in his age-30 season?
Boucher started last year so poor that he was a healthy scratch in November, yet he redeemed himself with a great postseason run. Shot-blocking and 3-point shooting, two areas that he used to set himself apart, were not as strong last season. Boucher will be solid, but he’ll need to get back to his Tampa form to justify the contract.
How will Chris Boucher and Otto Porter Jr. mesh?
Porter is an elite shooter who will help plug one of Toronto’s biggest holes last season. While he’ll be playing more of a perimeter-oriented role than he was in his time with the Warriors, he should be able to provide a convincing facsimile of many of the perimeter snipers the Raptors have helped mold.
If there are reasons for concern, durability has to be at or near the top of the list. Porter’s 63 games played last year was still the highest total he’s amassed in the past three seasons. Porter has a bit of a slow start in October and November, which could be problematic given how quick Nick Nurse can be to axe underperforming reserves.
Less Confident: Khem Birch
At this time one year ago, there were rumblings that Birch could be the starting center following a splendid stint in Tampa. Due to a combination of injuries limiting his availability and effectiveness, Birch had an absolute nightmare of a season last year.
Birch was retained for 2022-23 due to the fact he’s still got two years left on his contract. The Raptors were so alarmed by Birch’s play that they used their lone draft pick on someone who could eventually grow into a starting role in Christian Koloko. Birch will need to earn his trust back.
Khem Birch needs to get back on track for the Toronto Raptors.
While pessimists might see Birch as an aging big that doesn’t fit with what Toronto wants to do from a schematic point of view, optimists could see him as a battle-scarred veteran that could help the Raptors compete with many of the deep teams in the Eastern Conference.
In theory, Birch could be a fine addition to the rotation. In practice, Birch will likely be on the outside looking in if Nurse decided to go with just nine guys in the rotation this year. Birch will need a ton of fortuitous bounces this season to get back on track.