Toronto Raptors: Jared Sullinger Is The Ultimate X-Factor
The Toronto Raptors executed a steal of a signing when Masai Ujiri inked free agent big man Jared Sullinger to a one-year deal. He’ll be the ultimate X-Factor.
The Toronto Raptors are coming off of the most successful season in franchise history. Toronto won a team record 56 games, reached the Conference Finals for the first time, and sent two players to the All-Star Game.
Toronto has the potential to be even better in 2016-17, but that all comes down to how well the X-Factors perform.
In 2015-16, DeMarre Carroll missed 56 games due to injury and wasn’t anywhere close to 100 percent during the NBA Playoffs. His mere availability should help Toronto improve, but he’s not the ultimate X-Factor.
That title belongs to Jared Sullinger.
Toronto signed Sullinger to a one-year deal worth $5,628,000 during the summer of 2016. Many felt that it was below his market value, but Sullinger’s weight had become a point of contention during his Boston Celtics tenure.
According to Mike Ganter of The Toronto Sun, Sullinger is focused on managing his weight and remaining as healthy as possible.
"“Understand this is a new breath of life and it’s time to change the image,” he said. “Every day I am working. I can’t stop. It’s something that will be stuck with me for the rest of the my life.”“You get there (down to 260) and you stop,” he said. “For me, I can’t have an off day. DeMarre Carroll can have an off day. DeMar DeRozan can have an off day. Jared Sullinger can’t. It’s going to be a battle. I have learned how to manage it and I’m getting better at it every day.”"
That will be a critical point of emphasis.
Toronto will start Jonas Valanciunas at center, with rookie Jakob Poeltl slotted behind him. Patrick Patterson and Poeltl have been rumored as options to start at power forward, but head coach Dwane Casey temporarily dismissed that notion.
Per Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, coach Casey called the starting job at power forward Sullinger’s to lose.
"“I would say Sullinger is the guy now that it would be his to lose, but I reserve the right to change my mind,” Casey said, citing the need to see how that group reacts defensively."
Thus, the pressure has mounted.
Regardless of which position he plays, Sullinger’s presence could be invaluable. He’s an outstanding rebounder who can work the offensive glass or control the boards on the defensive end.
For perspective, Sullinger was No. 13 in the NBA in rebounds per 48 minutes during the 2015-16 regular season.
Despite playing just 23.6 minutes per game, Sullinger tied for No. 18 in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game. As a team, the Raptors were No. 19 in offensive rebounding.
Sullinger’s presence and contributions should be of extraordinary aid in that regard.
Sullinger has a career average of 3.8 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. He checked in at 3.6 in 2015-16, when he struggled to control his weight and ballooned to roughly 300 pounds.
A healthy and physically fit Sullinger should be even better in 2016-17.
Beyond the rebounding is the offensive versatility that makes Sullinger the special talent that he is. Though his percentages are less than ideal, Sullinger is capable of scoring from the post, attacking off the bounce, and shooting the 3-ball.
That versatility is exactly what the Raptors covet from a power forward.
If Sullinger’s weight is monitored and maintained, he can be a force on the offensive end. He averaged upwards of 17 points and 10 rebounds per 36 minutes in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and checked in at 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per 36 minutes in 2015-16.
If he can stay in shape, Sullinger can be a nightly double-double threat for a team that needs a consistent scoring threat to complement Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
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If Jared Sullinger fails to manage his weight, then the Raptors’ dreams of being Eastern Conference champions would take a damaging blow.