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5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason

By Holden Walter-Warner

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 31: De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket agains the Toronto Raptors during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 31: De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket agains the Toronto Raptors during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 26: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball over Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 26, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

5 important goals for the Toronto Raptors this offseason: 3. Fill out the bench

As mentioned, VanVleet ranked second in the league in minutes per game. The person who ranked first? Teammate Pascal Siakam. Scottie Barnes and  Gary Trent Jr. also ranked in the top 15 in the league. The Raptors need reinforcements on the bench.

Toronto arguably had the worst bench in the NBA last season. The unit averaged 25.7 points per game, ranking last in the league. That could be a function of averaging a league-low 14.4 minutes per game.

Malachi Flynn was tethered to the bench amid his struggles, while Svi Mykhailiuk and Yuta Watanabe failed to maintain a spot in the rotation. Nick Nurse couldn’t consistently trust his bench, which is ironic considering the team played 27 different starting lineups.

Only Boucher and Precious Achiuwa averaged more than 20 minutes per game among the regulars to come off the bench. The problem became even more glaring in the postseason, with Siakam averaging more than 43 minutes per contest.

The Raptors need more help so that the starters don’t keep getting overworked night in and night out. Where that help comes from, however, is a good question.

The draft is a logical starting point, but the Raptors dealt their first-rounder in the Goran Dragic trade. All they have left is a second-rounder, where it may be too difficult to find an immediate contributor.

Deploying the mid-level exception is a possibility to help bring life back to a bench unit formerly known as the Bench Mob. Some veteran assets could also come by way of trade (more on that in a bit).

One potential target for the MLE is Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo. He’s a former star and likely wants a bigger contract, but his health history will make most teams reticent to hand him a major deal. He can keep proving his health while reemerging as one of the best sixth men in the league.

Another fun possibility? Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. He was a former G League Defensive Player of the Year in the Raptors’ system before getting away. Payton II averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a lead bench player for Golden State this year and would likely be recovered from his fractured elbow by next season.

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