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5 Roster Moves The Toronto Raptors Need To Make

By Matthew Hallett

Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Raptors came so close to making the Finals. Without their starting center, they were beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.

Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) high fives guard Kyle Lowry (7) after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) high fives guard Kyle Lowry (7) after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Raptors make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals this season behind the play of All-Star guards Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan.

Toronto was also finely served by Jonas Valanciunas and new recruit DeMarre Carroll, when he was able to get on the court due to his injuries.

Their bench unit of Bismack Biyombo, James Johnson, Cory Joseph, Patrick Patterson, Norman Powell  and Terrence Ross all performed well throughout the season.

Toronto managed to finish first in the Atlantic Division with a record of 56-26, only one game behind eventual Eastern Conference champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This record was good enough to be the fourth-best in the NBA for the season.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Toronto Raptors

On their way to the Eastern Conference Finals, they beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the first round before moving on to the Miami Heat in Round 2

In  this round, Valanciunas was only able to play three games. Fortunately for Toronto, backup center Bismack Biyombo stepped up and Toronto moved through after another seven-game series. This was done thanks to the play of Biyombo and, of course, DeRozan and Lowry.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, Valanciunas only played 36 minutes, but Biyombo stepped up again. He assisted Toronto to take the eventual Eastern Conference champions to six games, but Cleveland was too good. DeRozan and Lowry struggled and Toronto was out of the playoffs.

Here are five roster moves that Toronto need to make to help them get to the next step.

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