3 burning questions Raptors must answer as 2023-24 schedule ramps up again
By Mike Luciano
2. What is the bench looking like?
The Raptors have not had a worthwhile bench since the Disney bubble, and they are as far away from achieving their halcyon dream of competence in that area this year as they were before that. A mix of old and new players have combined for a largely lackluster performance.
Old faces like Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher remain incredibly inconsistent, so much so that neither of them should consider themselves free from trade discussions. Porter has fallen out of the rotation, and the aformentioned McDaniels has provided little of value.
The Toronto Raptors need more bench pieces.
The Raptors might be getting Christian Koloko back, but his return is likely not going to provide a seismic change to the bench despite his strengths. Just like last season, starter-heavy lineups are being let down by the bench and forced into overworking themselves.
Rajakovic has been very open about his desire to play a 10-man rotation, but he's reverted to the Nick Nurse-like tendency of playing his starters for far too long. Can you blame him? If he doesn't put players like Barnes or Siakam out on the floor for 38 minutes every night, the bench could blow leads.