The Toronto Raptors still have a few games left before this season is all said and done, but most eyes are looking ahead to the summer when they are expected to work out the kinks in their roster.
The team will hopefully draw the luck of the lottery, ending up with—at the very least—a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft. But that's just one layer of the offseason iceberg; it was an inevitable outcome given the team's meager record this year.
When the team added roster pieces like Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl, it was clear that the franchise had a long-term plan in mind to incorporate these talents. There was no reason to add them merely to fill some roster spots, especially considering the circumstances that brought them to Toronto: the Raptors parted ways with defensive standout OG Anunoby to acquire the duo of Quickley and Barrett, while draft picks were sent out to acquire Poeltl.
Knowing how fast the NBA landscape can shift, the Toronto Raptors have made some critical moves that will be key to their future prospects in the Eastern Conference, notably acquiring former New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline.
Concerning the previously mentioned core players Quickley, Barrett, and Poeltl, it seems unlikely that Toronto will continue to stockpile these assets, as one or more of them may become expendable.
Will the Raptors part ways with one of their key starters?
It's not to say that these guys don't provide a great purpose for the Raptors; they all do in their own special ways. Quickley is a fast-paced, sharpshooting, playmaking guard who rounds out a relatively weak 3-point shooting lineup. Barrett is a pure scorer who can find his way to the rim and occasionally hits his shots from beyond the arc as well. While Poeltl anchors the team in the paint, proving to be a perfect running mate in the pick and roll.
With that in mind, the Raptors' front office will have a lot to consider regarding who can benefit their winning core long-term and who might be worth trading to a different situation for the greater good of their roster construction. There is not a doubt in any Raptors fans' minds that Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram will be thrust at the forefront, but a solid player to bring a "Big 3" together can make a huge difference.
Will that player be a superstar who wants out of their current team scenario? I've already analyzed how the Raptors have quality assets to at least throw their name in the hat for a big-time deal, but the idea of building around the talent they have now could also work.
If that's the case, though, the Raptors' focus might need to shift to improving their bench and reserves. As talented as some of their young guys may be, they might not be able to perform as backups on a winning roster.
The offseason is always a period of questions, and hopefully by the end of it all, fans will have their much-needed answers. For now, the Raptors will try to rally past their opposition en route to game 82 and secure the highest draft pick position possible.