The slow march toward next season continues to drag on for the Toronto Raptors.
Save for the Jared Rhoden Signature and the calendar releaseNot much has happened lately. Jersey talk seems to be buzzing among some sections of the fanbase, but other than that, it’s been quiet.
So what better time to answer fan questions? As always, feel free to send me a direct message or reply to one of my stories on Instagram @aaronbenroseWithout further ado:
Do you think the Raptors can be more than a play-in team this season? @big.sexcii_2.0
Probably not.
The top 8 in the East seems pretty settled and I’d be shocked if Toronto somehow managed to crack the top six and make it out of the play-in tournament. This team seems destined to be a play-in team, too good to be an East tanker and not good enough to be a top two team in the conference either.
How to change Boucher’s contract? – @cmac__19
I think Chris Boucher’s value is in his expiring contract and Toronto could theoretically trade him for someone else’s long-term deal. If a team wants to shed salary next offseason, the Raptors could take on someone’s multi-year contract in exchange for Boucher.
Do you consider the Raptors to be a great team? – @1moorec
Not really.
Kelly Olynyk is tall, but not particularly big and certainly not a great defender in the paint. Aside from Jakob Poeltl, there isn’t much size and Toronto lacks a big power forward. In my ideal lineup, Scottie Barnes is the third-tallest player in the starting lineup. That would make the Raptors a great team. For now, though, I’d say they’re pretty small.
Should we expect a 10-man rotation next season? – @jandugurman
I think there will be nine or ten next season. Head coach Darko Rajaković talked last year about playing with a ten-man rotation after Nick Nurse kept it pretty short the year before.
That said, there will be plenty of changes throughout the year, as always.
RJ, a star in the next 2 years? – @skruff_mcgruffap14
Probably not.
I don’t see the Raptors being one of the best teams in the league over the next two years and it’s hard for an average team to have two players in the All-Star game, let alone one. If Barnes is going to be Toronto’s All-Star, I think it’s going to be very difficult for RJ Barrett to get a spot.
If Scottie’s midrange game improves, I can see a 25, 10, and 8 season. Is All-NBA a possibility? – @yohan.dabir
He would need to play at least 65 games to make an All-NBA team. Considering that, 13 players played at least 65 games and averaged 25 points last season. Of those, only De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Maxey weren’t named All-NBA, and neither averaged eight assists, let alone 10 rebounds.
He certainly sounds like an All-NBA player, but winning is so important for All-NBA honors. He should do it on a team that is at least in play-in contention.
For what it’s worth, only Nikola Jokic managed to achieve this result last season. Don’t count on Barnes to be as good next year.
Would you bring Koloko back if he was allowed to join the NBA? – @hereand_daf
As I reported earlierToronto has been monitoring Christian Koloko’s situation and he’s reportedly open to a return to the Raptors. The Raptors have more forward depth than the organization did last season, which makes his return a bit more complicated. That said, Toronto liked him a few years ago and I have no reason to believe that’s changed.
