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3 most disappointing Raptors amid team’s weird 2-4 start

By Mike Luciano

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Darko Rajakovic of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 02, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Darko Rajakovic of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 02, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors haven’t had much to shout about this season. Outside of Scottie Barnes becoming the star Toronto envisioned when they drafted him and Dennis Schroder’s exceptional scoring and passing, the rest of the roster has been wholly underwhelming.

While some of these struggles can be explained as the result of a flawed roster staying mainly intact while also trying to adapt to the stylings of a rookie head coach like Darko Rajakovic, some key members of the rotation simply aren’t playing up to what the back of their trading card says they are capable of.

The Raptors had plenty of opportunities to turn 2-4 into 4-2, but their late-game blunders against Chicago and bench struggles against Portland contributed to their unimpressive record right now. Masai Ujiri can’t be overly pleased with how some of his hand-picked players are performing.

This trio of Raptors has gotten off to a very inauspicious start, as they look nothing resembling the very impressive studs who have dazzled for Toronto and others. Will they get back on track relatively soon, or continue to stay in the proverbial muck that is the first few games of the season?

3 most disappointing Toronto Raptors players after 2-4 start.

3. Jalen McDaniels

The Raptors not only signed McDaniels away from a rival in the 76ers with a two-year contract, but they made him one of the first players off the bench early in the season. It took Rajakovic just a handful of games before he deemed the former San Diego State star as non-essential.

McDaniels has just five points on the season, with all of them coming in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in which Otto Porter Jr. sat out due to his conditioning program. When Porter played in a dominant win against the much-hyped Bucks, McDaniels was given a DNP-CD.

Jalen McDaniels has played poorly for the Toronto Raptors.

McDaniels has been ice-cold from 3-point range, which is where almost all of his offensive value lies. Porter is a superior shooter, and that might appeal to a Raptors team that could drop some defensive specialists in the name of getting a boost in their half-court offense.

If McDaniels doesn’t rediscover his shooting stroke, he could end up being yet another failed 6-8 wing who can’t shoot that Ujiri and the front office will throw on the proverbial fire. Between him and Malachi Flynn, Ujiri may need to enact a “no SDSU Aztecs” policy on the team.

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