2. Dennis Schroder
The Raptors signed Schroder after the loss of VanVleet, and the move was mocked by many. Not only has Schroder become a somewhat meme-able name on NBA Twitter due to him turning down a lucrative contract in the past, but doubters were unimpressed by the idea of him being a replacement for VanVleet.
Schroder is not a like-for-like replacement. Instead, he is a wily veteran who can help supercharge a substandard bench the second he steps on the floor. Fans must also remember that no one has had a better and more impactful summer than Schroder did in the FIBA World Cup.
Dennis Schroder will be a big help for the Toronto Raptors.
Schroder led Germany to a perfect 8-0 record while emerging as the leading scorer and eventual FIBA World Cup MVP. He’s going to have some cold shooting streaks, but he has been one of the more consistently above-average scorers at the point guard position. Who better to score in place of VanVleet?
Schroder is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s been solid enough as a tertiary scorer in his career. If he plays with half the skill and effectiveness he showed with Germany, the Raptors would still get a potential star Sixth Man who could remind everyone why he is such a coveted asset.