The Toronto Raptors lost a tough one to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night despite some fantastic individual performances from Gary Trent Jr. and Pascal Siakam. While the defense was at fault for relinquishing leads so easily, Fred VanVleet and the team’s lackluster bench were the main reason this loss transpired in the way it did.
In a game that felt like a repeat of last year, the bench as a whole combined to score just seven points. It doesn’t matter who you have in the starting lineup; it’s impossible to win like that. VanVleet didn’t exactly do a good job of steadying the ship.
VanVleet mustered just nine points, going 3-15 from the fields and 3-12 from 3-point range. The Raptors tried to roll out their starting lineup from last season, but it didn’t help them get back in the win column. Could another Nick Nurse move be in the cards?
Is it worth dropping VanVleet to the second unit with the goal of leading the bench? The starting lineup could feature Scottie Barnes leaning into the point guard experience, Trent and OG Anunoby on the wings, and the now-healthy Precious Achiuwa joining Siakam in the frontcourt.
4/5 of the Raptors' starting lineup was excellent. The bench? They had more fouls (8) than points and were outscored 54-7. Their lack of depth (and Nurse's distrust in that depth) really showed tonight.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 3, 2023
Will the Toronto Raptors change Fred VanVleet’s role?
Malachi Flynn has not performed well enough lately to hold down a starting spot after a strong stretch, and the Raptors seem to operate better when they use a nine-man rotation. VanVleet, Chris Boucher, Thad Young, and Christian Koloko might be the only bench layout that makes sense, given the current roster construction.
On top of the fact that the bench scoring is totally lackluster, there are times this season when the offense has stalled out due to VanVleet chucking 3-pointers at inopportune times. Doing that, primarily, on a bench without tons of scorers makes more sense than taking the ball out of Siakam or Trent’s hands.
Moving to the bench woke up Trent. Since November 30, Trent has averaged over 20 points per game, making 43% of his 3-pointers and earning a spot back in the starting five. VanVleet might just need to recalibrate, and he can do that in a role as the team’s Sixth Man.
If the move works, Toronto can either go back to the way things were and start him (a la Trent) or keep letting him cook. A win-win scenario.
Fred VanVleet injury concerns can be valid
— A:A (@Swarlayzers) December 31, 2022
But his turnovers are down and his 2pt% is a career high as is his FT rate. The 3 ball comes back to normal and the noise will quiet.
VanVleet is well aware of the fact that playing the way he’s been is not conducive to creating a winning environment. Nurse is willing to do some genuinely unusual stuff if it means the Raptors will get a few extra wins, and this lineup move might be something floating around his brain right now.