5 Pieces Raptors must find to become true title contenders

1. Point guard upgrade

The Raptors want to give Scottie Barnes more offensive responsibility in year three. He averaged 4.8 assists and just 2.0 turnovers per game last season. Pascal Siakam is also a strong playmaker for a forward and someone capable of running the offense, but does Toronto need a point guard upgrade after losing Fred VanVleet in free agency?

They quickly signed Dennis Schroder to be his replacement, but the 6’3 guard has averaged over five assists per game just once in the last five years. The 29-year-old is best suited to be the team’s sixth man. He can get buckets and make plays for others, but Schroder is not a game-changing starting point guard.

Malachi Flynn and Jeff Dotwin are the team’s only other nominal point guards on the roster. Both are best suited to being third-string options that are not part of the nightly rotation at this point in their careers.

The Raptors plan on doing a playmaker-by-committee approach, but they still need a point guard upgrade if they plan on contending for the title in 2024. Whether it is acquiring an unquestioned starter to lead their attack or just another capable rotation player that can complement Barnes, Siakam, and Schroder, Toronto needs someone else they can count on.

The Toronto Raptors are closer to title contention than fans think. Can they add these important pieces to the puzzle and make a deep playoff run in 2024? Stay tuned to find out.

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