Grading every Raptors player after three 2022 preseason games

The Toronto Raptors have been back on their preseason grind over the last week, as they are trying to figure out what their new-look offense will look like amid a ton of new arrivals. While the team isn’t undefeated, there were tons of good returns after their first trio of contests.

The Raptors looked dominant against the Utah Jazz in a 32-point win, but they needed to be bailed out by their bench in order to move to 2-0 against the Boston Celtics. The good vibes from the Boston victory were quickly squandered thanks to a loss against a subpar Rockets team.

The Raptors have to be thrilled with the performance of their non-guaranteed players, as picking which players will make the final roster is certainly not an enviable position. However, the starters haven’t been as dominant and unified as one would hope. The lack of shooting has also been a problem.

It’s time to take a look back at how the preseason has gone so far. Which players should walk away from these first three exhibitions with their heads held high? Should anyone go back to the drawing board and figure out how they should best shake off the rust?

Grading the Toronto Raptors’ preseason performance

Guards

Fred VanVleet: C

Gary Trent Jr: B

Dalano Banton: A

Jeff Dowtin: A-

Malachi Flynn: Incomplete

VanVleet, who did not play in the loss against Houston, has gone just 4-14 from the field and made just two 3-pointers. He’s clearly been so rusty that he isn’t an effective player right now, but this stretch will almost assuredly fade away once he starts balling in the regular season.

Trent hasn’t reached any new dizzying heights in his preseason minutes, but the experienced guard has been rock solid for the most part. Flynn had some nice moments in his first game, but he has been rendered inert due to an injury. Toronto isn’t closer to figuring out where they stand.

The Toronto Raptors have seen inconsistent guard play.

Banton has been a revelation, as he is attacking the rim, playing like his hair is on fire, and showing off the physical tools that sold Masai Ujiri on him in the draft. There’s a case to be made that he has been the most impressive player on the roster through three games.

Dowtin was a complete gamble after being added to the Summer League roster, but he has enough juice to be a somewhat promising contributor if he were to get pushed into action. The Raptors may have one of the best two-way players in the league on their hands.