Toronto Raptors: 2016-17 Season Outlook
2016-17 Roster
Bruno Caboclo, SF
DeMarre Carroll, SF
Drew Crawford, SG
DeMar DeRozan, SG
Brady Heslip, SG
Cory Joseph, PG
Kyle Lowry, PG
Yanick Moreira, C
Lucas Nogueira, C
Patrick Patterson, PF
Jakob Poeltl, C
Norman Powell, SG
Terrence Ross, SF
Pascal Siakam, SF
E.J. Singler, SF
Jared Sullinger, PF/C
Jarrod Uthoff, PF
Jonas Valanciunas, C
Fred VanVleet, PG
Delon Wright, PG
Offseason Additions
Drew Crawford (free agency, Bnei Herzliya {Israel}), Brady Heslip (free agency, Acqua Vitasnella Cantu {Italy}), Yanick Moreira (free agency, UCAM Murcia {Spain}), Jakob Poeltl (9th overall draft pick, Utah), Pascal Siakam (27th overall draft pick, New Mexico State), E.J. Singler (free agency, unsigned), Jared Sullinger (free agency, Boston Celtics), Jarrod Uthoff (free agency, undrafted), Fred VanVleet (free agency, undrafted)
Offseason Subtractions
Bismack Biyombo (free agency, Orlando Magic), James Johnson (free agency, Miami Heat), Luis Scola (free agency, Brooklyn Nets), Jason Thompson (free agency, Shandong Golden Stars {China}),
Quick Thoughts
Toronto’s largest offseason priority — re-signing DeMar DeRozan — was quickly accomplished in the form of a five-year, $139 million extension. This locks in the East’s best backcourt for at least another year, ensuring the Raptors are still in the pseudo-contender category in 2016-17.
More from Toronto Raptors
- NBA Trades: 10 Pascal Siakam deals the Raptors must consider
- Grade the Trade: Warriors become title-favs in proposed deal with Raptors
- NBA Trades: Memphis bolsters their roster in this deal with Toronto
- NBA Trades: This Pelicans-Raptors deal would send a star to the Big Easy
- 3 NBA teams facing do-or-die 2023–2024 seasons
Unfortunately, paying that much money, even as a necessary evil to retain a talented shooting guard who would’ve been irreplaceable on the open market, limited what the Raptors were able to do with the rest of their free agency. They were never in the running for Kevin Durant, and their best solution to an ongoing position of need was signing Jared Sullinger.
Sullinger will help the Raptors on the glass, and he still has some upside at age 24. But he won’t replace Bismack Biyombo’s shot-blocking in the middle, nor is he the long-term solution this team needs at the 4.
Rookie Jakob Poeltl is one of the more underrated players in this year’s draft class, but even with him, a promising Norman Powell and overall continuity on their side, it still feels like the Raptors are a major piece away from being able to truly challenge Cleveland for the Eastern crown.
Next: Storyline 1: JV Needs A Varsity Season