Toronto Raptors: 5 reasons to keep the current core intact

Toronto Raptors: 5 reasons to keep the core intact

May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of t-Shirts draped over the seats at the Air Canada Centre prior to game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Raptors game day hosts get the fans to cheer during game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Fans

Above all else, general manager Masai Ujiri has a responsibility to build a championship contender. On that front, he can be graded better than any Toronto Raptors executive before him, although there remains some measure of room for improvement.

True as that all may be, the Raptors owe it to the loyal fan base to not completely blow up what’s been the best run in franchise history.

Losing Kyle Lowry may be necessary, but falling out of the postseason altogether is not. Keep in mind: Toronto made the playoffs five times between 1995 and 2013, and has made it four times between 2014 and 2017.

The Raptors have also won more division titles between 2014 and 2017 than they did between 1995 and 2013, and recorded the only two 50-win seasons in franchise history in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

After making the Conference Finals in 2016 and the Conference Semifinals in 2017, Toronto has proven it can win in the playoffs. Unfortunately, most viewers remain unconvinced that the Raptors can win in a stronger Eastern Conference.

Toronto’s stars are inconsistent in the playoffs—one more than the other—but that doesn’t necessarily mean the core of the team needs to be obliterated.

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