Projected Raptors depth chart and rotation entering regular season
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors are still in the process of evaluating their roster and figuring out what the final depth chart is going to look like. Darko Rajakovic is planning to go 10 players deep in the rotation, but which players will end up filling that role is still very much a mystery.
The Raptors appear to have finalized a few of the big questions in the preseason, as Dennis Schroder has taken hold of the starting point guard job while veteran forward Chris Boucher has pushed aside the idea that he could be excluded from Rajakovic’s initial rotation.
While some might criticize the Raptors’ roster as top-heavy at the moment (a designation that is not outrageous due to the burden Pascal Siakam shoulders), they should be well aware of the idea that Toronto could break out and become a budding team with one or two role players turning into stars.
The depth chart is always going to be fluid as hot starters and cold streakers emerge, but the initial grouping is starting to show itself. Expect the opening night roster to look something like this.
Projected Toronto Raptors depth chart in 2023-24 season.
PG: Dennis Schroder, Malachi Flynn, Markquis Nowell (2-way)
SG: OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr, Gradey Dick, Garrett Temple, Javon Freeman-Liberty (2-way)
SF: Scottie Barnes, Jalen McDaniels, Otto Porter Jr, Ron Harper Jr (2-way)
PF: Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher, Thad Young
C: Jakob Poeltl, Precious Achiuwa, Christian Koloko
With Jeff Dowtin getting squeezed out due to the nature of his non-guaranteed contract, Schroder gets the starting nod with Flynn as the backup point guard. The Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby dynamic duo will get the chance to star once again on the wing.
In the frontcourt, Pascal Siakam will embark on his All-NBA quest alongside Jakob Poeltl. While Toronto paid a big price to get him, he clearly had an impact on how the team operated on both ends of the floor.
Jalen McDaniels, Precious Achiuwa, and Boucher will make up a high-end bench in Toronto. While Gradey Dick is on the outside looking in, he will likely break free at some point early in his rookie season.
Flynn and Porter are the least safe members of this rotation, as any decline in production could be all Rajakovic needs to play the rookie Dick or a standout young big like Koloko. At least the Raptors have a complimentary starting lineup and a respectable bench after last year.