3 scenarios Raptors desperately need to avoid in 2023-24

2. Middling performance

While some might criticize the Raptors for being unwilling to pick a direction in 2023, Ujiri appears to be angling slightly toward the “win now” side of things. Why else would trade offers for players like Siakam and Anunoby have been consistently rebuffed?

If that is the case, this front office has told the fanbase to hold their feet to the fire if they are unable to perform like a team that can make some noise in the postseason. With their first-round pick likely heading to the Spurs, the least Toronto can do to make up for that pick is get back to the postseason and put up a fight.

Will the Toronto Raptors compete in 2023-24?

The other option, namely performing so poorly they recoup their first-round pick from the Spurs, can only be accomplished if Ujiri senses trouble, decides to renege on his original promise of building a winner this year, and trade away the veteran stars for picks and young players.

The Raptors might be as volatile as any team in the league last season, as very few can claim to have three potential All-Star players on the roster and be in prime position to earn a top pick if everything goes downhill. Getting stuck in the middle, however, could be a death sentence that leaves this team worse off.