Going into the playoffs short-handed is never a great situation, but it becomes even worse when it results in a loss because of one simple question: What if? For the Raptors, that question is “What if Immanuel Quickley had been healthy?”
Quickley’s passing, speed, offensive creation, and 3-point shooting were a big part of the Raptors’ offense, so it’s only fair to wonder how much better they could have been in the playoffs if he hadn’t missed all seven games with a hamstring injury.
Those questions will continue to haunt the Raptors in the offseason. The playoffs were meant to help the Raptors evaluate their core. They learned that Scottie Barnes could take his offense to another level when his team needed it the most and that Collin Murray-Boyles was ready for the big stage. They also learned that parting ways with RJ Barrett would be a painful experience for the Toronto community after his game-winning shot to keep the Raptors’ season alive in Game 6. The playoffs also revealed that Brandon Ingram may not be the best fit with this team.
One thing the Raptors didn’t learn was how impactful Immanuel Quickley could be for them at the next level. They didn’t get to see how his defense would hold up or how much of a difference his floor spacing and playmaking would have really made. And that makes it more difficult to evaluate potential offseason trades that would include him.
Trading Quickley was likely never off the table for the Raptors, but a playoff series with him running the offense would have revealed how eager or cautious they should be when it comes to losing him in an offseason splash for a star.
The Raptors are heading into a crucial summer
The Raptors can go in one of two directions this summer: Make incremental changes around the core and see what they can do with some additional 3-point shooting around them, or go all-in on a big star and push the team toward contention immediately.
There are solid arguments for either choice, but it will ultimately all depend on who is available on the trade market and what the Raptors would have to part with to get them. The only assets that should be considered absolutely, truly off the table are Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, but the Raptors won’t want to risk giving up on Quickley, Barrett, and Ja’Kobe Walter in a trade that could turn out to be an overpay or even a total swing-and-a-miss.
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