3 questions Toronto Raptors must answer during 2023 Media Day
By Mike Luciano
1. What is the direction?
The Raptors appear to be stuck in between a rock and a hard place, as the team seems petrified of either emptying the cupboards and going for broke or starting a more earnest rebuild. Ujiri has refused to mortgage most of their future assets to become a winner, yet hasn’t recouped picks for some of Toronto’s top players.
A rebuild would make sense to many, as the Raptors could lose Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. to free agency. However, it would take quite some time to dig out of that hole, and Ujiri doesn’t want to waste Barnes’ prime. It’s a tough decision, but making no decision will leave this team much worse off.
What direction will the Toronto Raptors take?
Toronto could, in theory, be better than they were last year, as they got rid of an ineffective shooter in VanVleet and the architect of the teams’ poor half-court offense in Nurse. They could also fall off, as the Eastern Conference around them has gotten much better.
Even if Toronto makes it to the postseason, the free agents who could leave this team in the offseason could cast a very dark cloud that managed to overwhelm any positive developments. Ujiri needs to show fans that the plan he has in place doesn’t end with Toronto stuck in the middle.