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3 offseason mistakes Raptors made that led to slow 2022 start

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Head coach Nick Nurse of Toronto Raptors watches the action in the second half of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Head coach Nick Nurse of Toronto Raptors watches the action in the second half of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 05: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Toronto Raptors puts up a shot over Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

2. Not adding more shooting

The Raptors decided, in large part, to run it back this offseason, as they retained Chris Boucher and Thad Young rather than adding a guard that can stroke it from 3-point range. With the squad ranked near the bottom of the league in 3-point percentage and making over 40% of their 3s once since November 2, that move isn’t aging well.

Toronto hoped that Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. would keep up their excellent marks from last year while Scottie Barnes evolved into a perimeter threat. While Barnes is a better shooter than last year, all three of those starters have seen their percentages regress.

The Toronto Raptors are one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA.

While adding a 3-point specialist would have gone against Toronto’s self-imposed directive to be as long as possible, it would have helped guard against all of their stars regressing. There are lineups Toronto leans on that often have three complete non-shooters sharing the floor for heavy minutes.

It’s simply impossible in the modern NBA to win games and shoot below 30% from 3-point range. The Raptors have players that, in theory, could be good shooters, but something is just not right with this team. When they’re not on the money, Toronto’s parade of non-shooters will take over.