NBA Insider Jake Fischer recently reported that the Raptors are one of several teams looking for a center upgrade and might be interested in the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson. The first bit of information is no surprise and nothing new. Raptors fans have been asking for an upgrade over Jakob Poeltl, who is fresh off his worst statistical season in years, and the only thing that stood between the Raptors and Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline was that no one wanted Poeltl’s massive contract.
Upgrading the center position will cost the Raptors—most likely draft assets, if they end up “paying” another team to relieve them of Poeltl’s contract—and it’s not even the only position that needs upgrading.
The Raptors also need better guard play and depth, so, hopefully, they won’t let their search for a center upgrade interfere with improvements at the guard position.
Immanuel Quickley’s injury exposed the Raptors lack of guard depth
When the team was healthy, the Raptors’ point guard depth was fine. Immanuel Quickley acted as a dynamic offensive creator, and Jamal Shead acted as a defensive presence and backup playmaker off the bench. But when Quickley had to miss most of the final regular-season games and the playoffs, the Raptors were left with Shead and a bunch of wings and forwards, so Scottie Barnes had to handle playmaking responsibilities while also being a top scoring option and defensive stopper.
If there’s one thing the Raptors should take away from the NBA Finals, it’s how important elite guards and reliable guard depth are to win at the highest level. Yes, Victor Wembanyama is a force unlike anything the NBA has ever seen before, and Karl-Anthony Towns has been key to the Knicks’ success, but neither team would be where it is without its array of guards. Jalen Brunson, an established superstar, leads the charge for the Knicks, and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle headline the Spurs’ young roster next to Wembanyama.
Speculations that stars, like Jamal Murray, Kyrie Irving, or Donovan Mitchell, could become available for trades this offseason have Raptors’ fans fantasizing about what this team would look like with a guard who drives offense like those three do. A move like that could make the Raptors contenders sooner rather than later. However, even if such a big trade isn’t on the table for the Raptors, they need to improve the guard depth behind Quickley and Shead, whether that’s through smaller trades or the draft.
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