Missing Kawhi Leonard for the next few games is sure to put a spotlight on a few Raptors players.
Scottie Barnes undoubtedly takes the cake as the No. 1 guy, given his role as the Raptors’ “leader,” even with the Klaw back in the picture. His ability to rise to the occasion when his team needs him most will be on full display — especially after a rough night against Minnesota in Toronto’s last game.
There are also big expectations for rising junior Ja’Kobe Walter and steady hometown hero RJ Barrett, whose value to the Raptors is even greater with Kawhi injured. But I think we may be glossing over the two guys who absolutely need to prove their worth, and then some: Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl.
Kawhi’s absence puts more pressure on Quickley and Poeltl to deliver
IQ got off to a great start with a breakout shooting performance, playing with confidence and electricity in Toronto’s dominant season opener against the Chicago Bulls. After that game, I wrote that if Quickley can keep up that level of play for much of the season, he could raise the Raptors’ ceiling even further.
Unfortunately, the Immanuel Quickley experience being hit-or-miss showed up quickly. He shot just 5-for-15 against Washington, including 0-for-6 from three after his hot start in game one. Against the Wolves, he turned his early struggles into a second-half turnaround, finishing with 19 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
But the Raptors need more from him, especially during this critical stretch. Quickley is shooting just 30.4 percent from deep. Sure, it’s only a three-game sample, but Toronto can’t afford for him to stay stuck in these shooting struggles or make costly mistakes. With Kawhi out, Quickley’s role as a scoring punch and starting point guard becomes even more important. He not only has to make the right reads on the floor, but also generate quality offense for himself and others.
Which brings me to Jakob Poeltl. The big question around Poeltl so far has been how much the Raptors can get from him in his current form. If he can rebound, provide adequate paint defense, and act as a serviceable pick-and-roll partner and screen setter — that’s a decent return, right?
Well, it's hard to excuse Poeltl averaging just 3.0 points and 5.3 rebounds, no matter how you spin it. His concerning play continues to expose a weakness in Toronto’s lineup.
And while Scottie Barnes had a scoreless night in Minnesota, Poeltl was also held scoreless and shut down. Even in his current form, it’s hard to believe Poeltl can’t give Toronto more — more than nine points over three games, more than five rebounds a night (especially as the team’s lone 7-footer), and a little more juice on defense. He’s had flashes this season and in the preseason, showing more engagement, a nose for the ball and extra hustle. But those flashes haven’t lasted, and Toronto needs him to make that effort more consistent.
Toronto can’t afford for two key starters to stay this up and down, especially after the Kawhi news. Barrett has shown he’s willing to step up, Walter looks promising, and Barnes has a huge chip on his shoulder. But what about IQ and Jak? They’re just as important to the team’s ambitions, and the games ahead are a chance to prove it.
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