3 Fatal flaws the Raptors have to address by the Trade Deadline

The Toronto Raptors are coming off their worst finish in 15 years, closing the season with a 25-57 record and a win percentage of 30.5 percent, the fifth lowest in franchise history. If they hope to be in playoff contention, significant changes will be necessary. However, before determining what adjustments should be made, it's essential to first understand the team's identity heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.

Who are the Toronto Raptors?

Under head coach Darko Rajaković, the Raptors are all about defense. They play fast and thrive in transition. Their style is positionless, with players switching roles fluidly. The team uses its length and athleticism to impact both ends of the court.
Yet health consistently comes at a cost, and injuries continue to challenge their ability to reach their full potential.

Understanding the Raptors' identity sheds light on the challenges that are holding them back from achieving their goals. After finishing 25th overall in league standings last season, it's clear that significant improvements are necessary. With that in mind, here are three critical areas Toronto must address before the February 6th trade deadline:

No. 3: Lack of Playmaking

The Raptors plan to start Immanuel Quickley at point guard this season. At his core, Quickley is a shooting guard. Currently, Grady Dick occupies the two-guard position, but he isn’t ready to start just yet. Sliding Quickley to shooting guard and bringing in a leader to run the point is exactly what the Raptors should be looking to do.

Someone like Collin Sexton would be an ideal target for Toronto. He fits the Raptors' defensive, hustle mentality and provides the leadership in playmaking that the team desperately needs. Another option is to pursue a veteran point guard like Chris Paul. While he may not match Toronto's defensive and athletic identity, he would bring the playmaking skills the team is lacking.

No. 2: Center Depth

Jakob Poeltl has been great for Toronto since his arrival two years ago. However, there isn’t a true center to back him up off the bench. Kelly Olynyk is solid at the five but at his best playing the four. He averaged a career-high 19 points and 8 rebounds when starting at power forward for the Houston Rockets in 2021. Olynyk’s ability to space the floor allows him to play the four at a high level.

With injuries constantly being the team’s Achilles' heel, pursuing another big man is crucial. Defensively, the Raptors need a larger body to anchor the middle when Poeltl isn’t on the court. This is where the Raptors should consider targeting someone like Steven Adams. He would provide the size and defensive presence the team lacks inside while coming off the bench.

No. 1: Bench Scoring

The Raptors consistently struggle with injuries. This could stem from their tight rotation during the regular season, as they haven’t rested players like Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett as much as they probably should. While the team has plenty of depth on the defensive end, they don’t receive enough offensive production from the bench. Just last season, the Raptors averaged 30 points on 44% shooting from their bench, ranking 18th in the league.

Toronto should look to increase their scoring depth, allowing players who log heavy minutes to get the rest they need. Moving Grady Dick to the bench could help with this. Additionally, they should consider acquiring players like Luke Kennard and Tim Hardaway Jr., both marksmen capable of creating their own shots.

Maxi Kleber is another player Toronto should keep on their radar. Having a big man who can stretch the floor is essential in the modern NBA. Adding someone like Kleber, who can also play big and defend wings, would be a great fit for the bench unit.

With the Raptors starting the season without one of their stars, RJ Barrett, and backup center Kelly Olynyk, these areas may need to be addressed much sooner than the trade deadline.