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5 major lineup questions Toronto Raptors must address this offseason

The Toronto Raptors have some major questions to answer about their rotation this offseason. How might they seek out those answers?

By Josh Cornelissen

Kelly Olynyk and Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors
Kelly Olynyk and Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors / Mark Blinch/GettyImages
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No. 4: Who starts on the wing?

Answering the question of whether Gradey Dick is the long-term starter is only the first step; the Raptors must then determine if he is ready to start from the jump next season. If he is, then it's very likely there will be no reunion with Gary Trent Jr. in free agency.

If the Raptors are not convinced that Gradey Dick will step immediately into the starting lineup, they have some decisions to make. RJ Barrett had a strong few months in Toronto after coming over in the OG Anunoby trade; do the Raptors want to play him at shooting guard, looking for a larger wing to start, or do they see Barrett as a small forward and start a smaller wing ready to chase after opposing point guards?

Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown are both (probably) outgoing free agents, and both have starting pedigree and would likely expect to start if they return to the team. The Raptors likely won't keep both; if they trade Bruce Brown, does that open the door for Trent? Can they say goodbye to both? Toronto needs to figure out this answer ahead of Brown's option date and the NBA Draft so they can get moving on offseason moves.

No. 3: Who is the backup point guard?

This is a simpler question to answer, at least in terms of the action step required. The backup point guard for the Raptors is almost certainly not on the roster, and while Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes are both capable ball-handlers and playmakers, the team needs another guard to play a small rotation role when everyone is healthy and step into a larger one when injuries (inevitably) hit.

Do they go for a veteran caretaker like Monte Morris or Cameron Payne to fill that role? Do they make a bigger swing for someone like Tyus Jones to give Quickley further support? The NBA Draft could yield someone like Devin Carter or Tyler Kolek to fill that spot long-term. This decision is somewhat isolated but the amount of resources the Raptors devote to the answer will affect the rest of their offseason strategy.

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