The Toronto Raptors seem ready to go into the 2023-24 season with many of the key figures from last year back and ready to get the squad in the postseason once again. This comes to the chagrin of many fans and observers who wanted to see a more earnest rebuild.
Toronto appears to have hit a ceiling with their Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby-led core, which had many trying to figure out ways to swipe some of Toronto’s top talents. That may still happen if Darko Rajakovic tanks early on in the season, but there are some players who won’t be on the market.
Due to Toronto facing some serious difficulties when trying to land free agents thanks to their geographical challenges, the Raptors have often prized their own drafting and retention of their own free agents. While Fred VanVleet bolted, multiple other key names remain firmly in place.
These three Raptors players are not going anywhere anytime soon, as Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have deemed them to be too irreplaceable and vital to Toronto’s cause. No matter what happens next, Rajakovic can coach, knowing these players are locked in for the future.
3 Toronto Raptors players who should be untouchable.
3. Jakob Poeltl
The Raptors seem to be as smitten with Poeltl as any team in the league. Not only did they give up what will likely be a lottery pick to acquire him for a half-season last year, but one of the first moves any team pulled off in free agency was Toronto locking down Poeltl with a four-year contract.
While he came to Toronto too late to change the scope of the season, the defensive numbers after he arrived for his second stint north of the border were astonishing. Even with Christian Koloko marinating behind him, Poeltl will be the top dog for quite some time.
Jakob Poeltl is very important for the Toronto Raptors.
Not only has Rajakovic shown that he can turn big men like Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. into high-end starters on playoff teams during his career, but he will try everything he can to make sure that the team’s strong defense from last season remains intact.
The Raptors don’t need a dominant scorer at center, but they do need a shot-blocker and rebounder with height that can supplement the offense with above-average passing. Poeltl’s style of play fits this roster, and he should be a big part of the solution for this team going forward.
2. Gradey Dick
The Raptors had the opportunity to draft a potential standout point guard with what could be their only first-round draft choice in a three-year span, but they opted for Dick after falling in love with his tremendous shooting ability from 3-point range. He should see the floor as a rookie.
While Dick will be trusted to knock down open shots early in his career, he showed signs of being a player who can eventually be a secondary offensive option. Dick’s Summer League stint showed more creativity on-ball than most likely expected right out of the gate.
Gradey Dick could be an asset for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors finally reached a breaking point last season. Ujiri realized that adding players who came into the league as elite shooters was a better option than drafting someone who struggles from deep and trying to fix their biggest flaw. Dick’s best trait gives him a very low floor.
The Raptors drafted Dick with an eye on the future as much as they did with their gazes fixed on a short-term Band-Aid. The Raptors have the luxury of not thrusting him right into the starting lineup, as they can develop him into a refined player while refusing interest from the rest of the league.
1. Scottie Barnes
The Raptors had opportunities to shake things up and move off Barnes, as they were connected to Kevin Durant last offseason and have come up on the fringe of the whole Damian Lillard circus. The fact those offers have been rebuked speaks to what the team thinks Barnes can become.
While Barnes started to stagnate on the offensive end last season, the hiring of Rajakovic was done to maximize Barnes’ potential. With an offensive background and a history of turning young players into studs, Scottie has a solid infrastructure in place around him.
The Toronto Raptors are committed to Scottie Barnes.
Imagine a world in which FIBA World Cup star Dennis Schroder becomes the team’s Sixth Man, and Barnes is the de facto point guard. His natural gifts as a passer could take full stage in that case. If his 3-point shot takes a step forward, he could be enough of a scoring threat to draw defenders further out of the paint.
Barnes is not going to become an All-NBA talent overnight, but it’s hard to watch him for very long and not see the potential Toronto is currently enraptured by. The Raptors will try to win with Barnes, no matter how many teams try to get on the line and try Hail Mary attempts at pilfering him away.