The Toronto Raptors have played most of the year with a very suspect second unit, as the lack of consistent 3-point shooting off the bench and inability to perform when the chips are down are part of the reason Toronto is a play-in contender rather than a playoff fixture.
It’s not unreasonable to suggest that everyone outside of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes should be on the table when it comes to evaluating their worth as complementary pieces next season. This roster is likely going to look much different next year.
However, there have been multiple players that have shown they can piece together some worthwhile nights amid all of the consternation and struggle around them. Even though they may not always have the gaudiest box score, they have performed admirably.
When Masai Ujiri is getting the plans for the 2023-24 Raptors squad finalized, he needs to make sure that these three players are included on next year’s initial team sheet. They’ve played too hard and too well in their opportunities to be cast aside.
3 Toronto Raptors who earned a spot on 2023-24 roster.
3. PG Jeff Dowtin Jr.
Dowtin has been so impressive after signing a two-way contract in the offseason that he has many Raptors fans wondering why the team hasn’t reworked their roster and given him a regular NBA contract at this point. Toronto has tried many backup point guard options, but he might be the best one.
Dowtin will not put up the gaudiest scoring numbers in the world, but he’s shown to be consistently effective enough on offense to finish off a couple of timely looks when given a chance. Between his pesky defense and tremendous passing, Dowtin can hold down the fort while Fred VanVleet rests.
Jeff Dowtin Jr. must be back with the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto must be kicking themselves after giving Joe Wieskamp a multi-year deal before Dowtin. Wieskamp likely throws a parade if he gets in the game, while Dowtin has shown that he can already be a more reliable rotation guard than former first-round pick Malachi Flynn.
Dowtin’s speed as a ball-handler and feisty nature on the court has helped him overcome long odds and make it to the pros. If we are going truly on merit, Dowtin should end up getting the standard Raptors non-guaranteed multi-year deal and return in 2023-24.
2. C Christian Koloko
Second-round picks are guaranteed next to nothing in the NBA, as even those picked near the top part of the round like Koloko can be axed if they start to slip up in their development. Koloko may have been sent to the G League and seen his role reduced after the deadline, but he still had his moments on the floor.
3.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game are by no means world-shattering numbers, but the fact he has blocked over one shot per game shows the defensive potential the 7-1 big has in his lanky frame. Koloko could be an ideal Jakob Poeltl stand-in next season and beyond.
The Toronto Raptors must keep developing Christian Koloko.
Koloko was thoroughly dominant in his time with Raptors 905, but it is on the Raptors to make sure that all the positivity he has shown does not go to waste. After all, Dalano Banton was tearing it up down in Mississauga before reverting to another substandard form in the pros.
Koloko is a major work in progress offensively, but his defense has been sparkling this season. If Poeltl was able to refine his skillset into such a dynamic skillset that he is a few months away from a payday close to nine figures, why can’t Koloko do the same?
1. SG Gary Trent Jr.
It seems like both Trent and Fred VanVleet are going to hit free agency in the offseason, and the Raptors will likely not be able to keep both of them due to their very precarious contract situations. The once-popular trade target might seem like someone destined to leave, but he made a very strong case for retention this season.
Excelling as both a starter and Sixth Man, Trent’s electric ball-handling and shooting give the Raptors two traits that they are in dire need of. Having length and physicality is great, but you won’t go anywhere in the league without quality half-court offense and 3-point shooting.
The Toronto Raptors need Gary Trent Jr.
The VanVleet or Trent debate is not going to go away until free agency starts. While VanVleet is the more experienced player and the more natural point guard, Trent is the better perimeter shooter. With both fo them excellent defensive playmakers, this could come down to the wire.
Scottie Barnes’ 12-assist night against the Heat could help show that he is advanced enough as a passer to take over for VanVleet in the near future. If that is the case, he’ll need a quality catch-and-shoot threat like Trent to be on the receiving end of his passes.