The NBA offseason is just around the corner, and the Toronto Raptors are in a fascinating position. They are coming off an extremely successful season where they surprised a lot of NBA fans by becoming the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed.
Now, Raptors fans are looking for the team to build on that success. Toronto holds all of its future first-round picks and has multiple middle-tier salaries that can be used in trades much more easily than larger or smaller contracts.
That gives Toronto options. The front office could cash in future assets for a win-now move, use some of those assets to trade up in the draft, or stand pat and bank on internal development.
The safest option may seem like doing nothing drastic. In reality, Toronto revealed real issues in the playoffs and needs to address those issues to successfully build on this season.
The Raptors should avoid one all-in mistake
The biggest concern with cashing in future draft assets for a win-now move is rushing this young core’s development too early. As good as this season was, development is not always linear. If Toronto’s young core does not progress as expected, but the front office gives up future assets for an older, more proven player, the team’s future could be hurt.
For that reason, Toronto should avoid any huge all-in move. This team is not one veteran away from becoming a championship favorite, and the front office should not act like it is.
Trading up may be Toronto’s boldest path forward
Draft day trades are always interesting because the NBA Draft is a huge gamble. However, this year’s group of prospects is thought to be historically deep, which should make moving up tempting for Toronto.
If the Raptors moved from the 19th pick into the top ten, they could add another long-term piece who fits with Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter. That should deeply appeal to Raptors fans. This option is risky, but it may also carry the largest upside.
What makes it even more enticing is the number of point guards expected to be available in the 5-10 range. Immanuel Quickley has been solid as a Raptor, but he has not fully solidified himself as the point guard of the future.
That does not mean Toronto needs to give up on Quickley. It just means the Raptors should be honest about what this roster still needs: more shooting, more offensive creation and more long-term upside in the backcourt.
Standing pat should be the last resort
The least exciting option is Toronto simply holding onto all of its future draft assets and making only minor moves around the edges of the roster. That would not be indefensible.
The Raptors took a huge leap this season, and their young core should continue to improve. Still, internal development cannot be the entire plan.
Toronto showcased real problems with shooting and offensive creation. There is no obvious fix for that on the current roster. If the Raptors want to build on last season’s success, they need to make at least one meaningful move.
That does not mean they need to mortgage their future or chase the biggest name available. But it does mean they cannot treat this offseason like a victory lap.
The Raptors’ surprising leap gave them an opportunity. Now the front office has to prove it knows how to build on it.
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