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Toronto Raptors: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

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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Toronto Raptors
Oct 1, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) dribbles down court against Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Key Storylines: 2. How Can Toronto Get Over The Hump?

Rewind all the way back to the Rudy Gay trade in 2013 and you’ll have a hard time finding anyone who believed that move would suddenly unlock Toronto’s potential.

Ujiri intended it to be the first of many moves to strip down and rebuild the franchise, but then a funny thing happened — the Raptors won 41 of their next 63 games, winning a then franchise-record 48 games and making the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Ever since then, their gradual ascension has been a feel-good story in the East.

The problem, however, is that Ujiri may be situated between a rock and a hard place now, forced to reconcile the fan base’s love for the greatest team in its franchise’s history with the sinking sensation that unless Toronto can add another star player, they may have already reached their ceiling.

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    • The Cavs aren’t going anywhere and, barring injuries, are far better anyway. The Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons are teams on the rise who could seriously challenge Toronto within a year or two, and by the time LeBron’s prime is over, the Raptors’ window may have already closed.

    That’s not to say their fate is inevitable, however. Perhaps Ujiri could find a way to swing a trade for the missing link at power forward. We’ve already heard reports that LaMarcus Aldridge is unhappy in San Antonio, and every year star players around the league grow disgruntled.

    Or maybe free agency is the answer. Perhaps Blake Griffin seriously considers leaving Los Angeles next summer if the Clippers fall short again. Maybe Paul Millsap takes his talents north, or Serge Ibaka leaves after a lone season in Orlando.

    Most likely though, the solution isn’t coming this season. Toronto would have to give up a considerable amount of assets to entice the Spurs, even if they are seriously contemplating an Aldridge trade, while the Raptors would have to balance Lowry’s free agency with the courtship of guys like Griffin, Ibaka and Millsap.

    As Lowry himself said, Toronto’s best chance of getting over that Cavs hump is securing home-court advantage. Hoping one (or both) of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love is banged up and throwing defender after defender at LeBron James to try and slow him down would be the next step.

    Having Carroll healthy for more than 26 games should help with that, as would a breakout season from JV. But as of right now, the Raptors are still playing for second-best in the East.

    Next: Storyline 3: Fighting Regression

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