The Toronto Raptors are facing a season-defining stretch. Since the last edition of the Fulcrum, Toronto has gone 2-2, but injuries continue to test this roster. With key pieces sidelined, how are the Raptors surviving with their core banged up, and what will it take to keep fighting as the schedule only gets tougher?
The battle for the final rotation spot is getting interesting
When fully healthy, Toronto’s starting lineup feels set: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. Three players have also solidified their roles off the bench: Jamal Shead, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. That leaves one, maybe two, rotation spots still up for grabs for the remainder of the season.
Ja'Kobe Walter, Ochai Agbaji, and Gradey Dick have all had opportunities to claim that final spot, but none has done enough to give head coach Darko Rajaković the confidence to end the rotation battle. Injuries have since opened the door for two more players, Alijah Martin and A.J. Lawson, and both have made the most of their chances.
Neither Martin nor Lawson has played well enough to lock down the ninth spot outright, but both have shown enough to expand Rajaković’s options. With no clear timeline for when the rotation will be fully healthy, this competition is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
That uncertainty is good news for these young players, all of whom should continue to see regular minutes as the roster recovers. If one can consistently bring high energy and convert just enough of their offensive opportunities, it could provide a meaningful boost to Toronto’s rotation once the team is back at full strength.
Quickley’s opportunity has turned into Shead’s breakout
In the last Fulcrum, I challenged Immanuel Quickley to carry the offense through Toronto’s injury stretch and prove he belongs in the team’s long-term core. The response was mixed. He struggled with efficiency in two outings and then missed the next two games with back spasms.
In his absence, Shead has quietly been one of Toronto’s most reliable offensive organizers. Over the last four games, he is averaging 11.8 points and 7.8 assists while committing just 1.8 turnovers per game. His shooting numbers aren't as impressive, 35 percent from the field and 25 percent from three, but the overall impact has been steadier than what Toronto has received from Quickley during this stretch.
Shead takes fewer low-value shots, keeps the ball moving, and consistently puts teammates in positions to succeed. Defensively, his impact has been even more noticeable. His late-game work on James Harden to force overtime was a reminder of the pressure and intensity he brings every possession. That level of defensive engagement has not been a consistent part of Quickley’s game.
The better Shead plays, the more complicated Quickley’s long-term outlook becomes. Injuries opened the door for Quickley to solidify his place in Toronto’s future, but they may have done the opposite. While Shead may not have the same offensive ceiling, his reliability, decision-making, and defensive edge are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The Western Conference road trip begins…
Toronto now departs on a five-game Western Conference road trip. They will face the Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Trail Blazers, and Thunder. That is a difficult group of opponents, and being short-handed only raises the degree of difficulty.
To succeed on this trip, the end-of-rotation players will need to continue playing with energy while fighting for a long-term role, and Shead will need to show that his recent breakout is sustainable. Good luck, Toronto.