Predicting the Raptors perfect starting lineup after a home run offseason
![Darko Rajakovic, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors Darko Rajakovic, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3924,h_2207,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/85/01hyhmgkq0gw4f88rgqm.jpg)
The Toronto Raptors could decide to enter next season with the same starting lineup as last year.
It's not all that crazy of an idea, even considering how bad the Raptors were last year. Their preferred starting lineup barely got time to play together before Scottie Barnes fractured his hand and Jakob Poeltl tore a ligament in his finger. Bringing back Gary Trent Jr. is within the realm of possibility, and Toronto could give that group a full season to gel.
More likely, however, there will be changes this summer, and that will be reflected in the starting lineup. What if those changes were substantial? Let's look at a "perfect" starting lineup after a home run offseason, one where the Raptors execute the best series of moves to balance youth and production to add another star and get smarter at center.
Point Guard: Immanuel Quickley
The No. 1 item of business this summer is to agree to a new contract with Immanuel Quickley, although it won't necessarily be the first move that is announced and executed. The Toronto Raptors made Quickley the centerpiece of the return for OG Anunoby, making it imperative that they re-sign him in restricted free agency this summer.
That should give Quickley a large helping of leverage, but that's undercut by the team leverage of restricted free agency. The dueling negotiating tools should help balance things out and get a fair deal done early on. From there, the Raptors will keep Quickley's cap hold in place until the rest of their business is complete, using his low cap hold to potentially sign other players or execute trades, and then officially sign the deal.