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Toronto Raptors: Four burning questions as they enter the season

By Corey Rausch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first half during Game Six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on September 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first half during Game Six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on September 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Was the Norman Powell season for real?

Norman Powell is entering the final fully locked-in season of his current contract. He has a player option for the 2021-2022 season and should he opt out it will be time for the Raptors to figure out how much they want to commit to him going forward. The question becomes is how real and sustainable was the leap he took last season.

The season saw him start 26 of the 52 regular season games he appeared in and jumped from 18.8 minutes to 28.4 minutes per game. His statistical impact benefitted greatly from his increase in play. He posted a line of 16.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting a blistering 39.9 percent on 5.3 long-range attempts per game. In the playoffs, he shot even better and showed that he can contribute to a team that has postseason expectations.

Related Story. Raptors: 3 bold predictions for the 2020-21 season. light

The conundrum is he had never attempted more than three 3-point shots per game before this season so was it a one-year mirage or the start of an ascension. It will be tough for him to continue to find an extended role for a team loaded with guards and forwards and committed $177 million to Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby during the offseason.

Given the sudden murkiness regarding the plans for their future (more on that later), it makes sense for the Raptors to play this out as long as possible. If he has another season like the one he is coming off of Powell will almost certainly opt out and be a valued player on the market. However, he is a testament to the developmental system of this team.

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