Grading every Toronto Raptors player after turbulent start to 2022
By Mike Luciano
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 2: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 2: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e4861c33200bcf63f5d824d37bd026314e4481f1d763b874315844cf023caaf9.jpg)
Bigs
Pascal Siakam: A
Siakam went from becoming a potential All-NBA candidate to someone that may earn a second-team spot if he keeps performing like this. The history-making Cameroonian has been the Raptors’ best player this year, and his ceiling will keep getting higher as he balls out.
Chris Boucher: B+
Boucher’s three-year contract from the offseason is looking like a steal, as he has been one of the best offensive bench bigs in the league. The energy he brings to the floor and the impact he has on a game are palpable.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher are performing well.
Thad Young: A-
Young is not going to be a gaudy scorer at this stage of his career, but there’s a reason Nurse continues to throw him out there. Every contender seems to have a wily veteran who does the little things, and Young is playing that role on a younger team to absolute perfection.
Christian Koloko: B
It’s been a mixed bag for Koloko, who is as raw as sashimi on the offensive side and often gets into foul trouble. However, he’s lightyears ahead of where many thought he would be, as NBA teams are already respecting and fearing the length and shot-blocking he brings to the table.
Precious Achiuwa: C-
Achiuwa has been injured for most of the year and ineffective offensively when on it. He needs to come out guns blazing when he returns from injury to bump his grade up.
Khem Birch: D+
The Birch experiment hasn’t worked out great in Toronto, as he’s all but fallen out of the rotation completely.
Next. 4 huge trades to shake up the roster. dark