Welcome to IAI Sports! And welcome to the 2022-23 NBA Season!
To begin the season, we will be running through each NBA team and analysing what they’ve done throughout the off-season. Each article will start off with an introduction, telling a story of how this team is where they are at today. We quickly delve into the results of the 2021-2022 NBA season, before diving into the off-season in’s and out’s.
From there, we go into depth discussing some of the important rotation pieces for the upcoming season, before finishing with a quick analysis of a team’s win totals and a full conclusion of why this team has completed these moves, what their win total will be, and my own predictions of breakout players and what to expect from this team. It’s a season preview series with the purpose of getting you up-to-date with what has happened throughout the league.
A season preview of each of the 30 teams will be released, leading up to the beginning of the NBA season. All data and information included in these articles have been gathered from Basketball Reference, NBA.com and ESPN.
Today’s team is the Toronto Raptors – a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Introduction
The Toronto Raptors have been an Eastern Conference contender all throughout the 2010s. But the franchise hasn’t always been as stable as it is now. The Raptors (before 2014) had reached the playoffs five times in 18 seasons, only getting through to the 2nd round once, despite having Hall of Fame talents like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh. They just couldn’t keep them in town, seeing all three leave via free agency or demanding trades to franchises back in the United States.
Once Bosh left for the Miami Heat in 2010, the Raptors built from the ground up once again. Under the tutelage of head coach Dwane Casey and the core of DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas, they became a consistent playoff contender, accumulating five consecutive playoff appearances and being an Eastern Conference Finalist for the first time in franchise history in 2016. There was one team (more like one player) that stopped the Raptors from going all the way: LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers knocked the Raptors out of the playoffs in three consecutive playoffs (from 2016 to 2018). The Raptors were regarded as a very strong regular season team (64.1%-win percentage from 2014 to 2018), but couldn’t get the job done in the post season. This led to changes within the organisation. Despite winning 58 games and Coach of the Year during the 2018 season, Casey was let go at the end of the season, replaced by assistant Nick Nurse. The team also traded beloved franchise cornerstone, DeMar DeRozan, to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard.
The changes worked beautifully. Not only did the Raptors break through and win the Eastern Conference championship, they were also able to stop the unstoppable Golden State Warriors and deliver Toronto (and Canada) their first NBA title. Kawhi Leonard won Finals MVP, Kyle Lowry cemented his legacy as Toronto’s greatest player, while the likes of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet grew from G-League regulars to important starting members of a championship team.
Kawhi Leonard left the following season in free agency. The team would get back to the 2nd round in 2020, but got knocked out by the Boston Celtics in 7 games. Following that, 2021 was a really tough season for the Raptors. Due to COVID-19 protocols and legislation between the United States and Canada, it forced the Raptors to relocate to Tampa. The team was on track to make the playoffs, before injuries derailed their season and finished with a 27-45 record.
Last Season
Prior to the 2022 season, the Raptors said goodbye to Kyle Lowry, who departed to the Miami Heat in free agency. This represented the ultimate changing of the guard – the last remaining piece of the Raptors’ success throughout the mid-2010s. This team was now Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet’s, coupled with OG Anunoby and the 4th overall selection from the 2021 draft, Scottie Barnes. The Raptors also went out and re-signed Gary Trent Jr and Khem Birch.
The Raptors got to the midway point of the season with a 21-21 record, showing some signs of playoff potential, but couldn’t quite get it all together straight away. It didn’t help that Siakam and Anunoby missed time to begin the year, and the team also had to incorporate Barnes, who showed early on his readiness at the NBA-level. Not many expected him to have the season that he did, where he beat out Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley to be Rookie of the Year.
An 8-game and two 5-game winning streaks propelled the Raptors forward and into the playoff conversation, ultimately finishing with a 48-24 record, good enough to be the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors lost VanVleet and Barnes for 2-games during their 1st round matchup against James Harden, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. They were outmatched from the beginning, losing the series in 6 games. It was still a successful season for the team, who not only returned and played all of their home games in Toronto, but returned back to the playoffs. The team ranked 15th in offensive efficiency and 9th in defensive efficiency.
Off-Season
Ins:
Christian Koloko (33rd pick, NBA draft)
Otto Porter Jr (free agency, originally with Golden State Warriors)
Juancho Hernangomez (free agency, originally with Utah Jazz)
Josh Jackson (free agency, originally with Sacramento Kings)
Outs:
Svi Mykhailiuk (waived, picked up by New York Knicks)
Armoni Brooks (waived)
Isaac Bonga (free agent)
Yuta Watanabe (free agent, moved to Brooklyn Nets)
It was a quiet off-season for the Toronto Raptors. They used their 33rd overall selection to bring in athletic big man, Christian Koloko. Otto Porter Jr comes to the Raptors after winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors, while Juancho Hernangomez and Josh Jackson will be experienced veteran pieces to have at the end of the bench.
To make room for Koloko and Porter Jr, Svi Mykhailiuk and Armoni Brooks were both waived from the roster. The Isaac Bonga experiment in the NBA is officially over, with the forward signing overseas to FC Bayern Munchen.
2022-23 Roster
Starting Five
PG – Fred VanVleet
| H: 6’1″ | W: 197lbs | Age: 28 |
| Contract: 1 yr/$21.3m | Years Pro: 6 |
Career Averages:
13.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 4.9 asts, 1.3 stls, 0.4 blks, 1.6 to, 40.4%/38.2%/86.0%, 28.3 mins
Averages Last Season:
20.3 pts, 4.4 reb, 6.7 asts, 1.7 stls, 0.5 blks, 2.6 to, 40.3%/37.7%/87.4%, 37.9 mins
2022-23 Projections:
17.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.7 asts, 1.5 stls, 0.6 blks, 2.1 to, 40.2%/37.4%/87.0%
Fred VanVleet has transitioned from being an undrafted rookie, to a 6th Man of the Year Finalist in 2018 and a first time All-Star selection last season. He is a ferocious defensive guard and a trusted marksmen from 3-point range (37.7% from 3-point range on 9.9 attempts per game). VanVleet is also a capable playmaker, who has taken more ballhandling responsibilities since Kyle Lowry’s departure.
SG – Gary Trent Jr.
| H: 6’5″ | W: 209lbs | Age: 23 |
| Contract: 1 yr/$17.3m | Years Pro: 4 |
Career Averages:
13.5 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.4 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.2 blks, 0.7 to, 41.6%/38.9%/82.0%, 27.9 mins
Averages Last Season:
18.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.0 asts, 1.7 stls, 0.3 blks, 1.0 to, 41.4%/38.3%/85.3%, 35.0 mins
2022-23 Projections:
16.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.7 asts, 1.4 stls, 0.3 blks, 0.9 to, 42.4%/39.3%/83.9%
Since his move from Portland, Gary Trent Jr has played an important role in being the running mate to VanVleet in the backcourt. He is a source of instant offence – a high volume shooter that is above-average from the 3-point line (38.3% on 7.8 attempts last season). Not known for his defence before last season, Trent Jr took a massive leap in his steal rate (1.7 steals last season vs 1.0 steals the season prior), showing clear desire to improve on that side of the ball.
SF - OG Anunoby
| H: 6’7″ | W: 232lbs | Age: 25 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$36m | Years Pro: 5 |
Career Averages:
10.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.4 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.5 blks, 1.1 to, 47.0%/37.2%/70.9%, 26.8 mins
Averages Last Season:
17.1 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.6 asts, 1.5 stls, 0.5 blks, 1.7 to, 44.3%/36.3%/75.4%, 36.0 mins
2022-23 Projections:
14.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 asts, 1.3 stls, 0.5 blks, 1.5 to, 46.4%/37.9%/76.4%
OG Anunoby is the prototypical 3-and-D wing. He is very versatile on the defensive end, using his 7’2” wingspan and agility to guard 1-through-4 and is one of the best steal-guys on the wing (1.7 steals per game for the past two seasons). The Raptors have given Anunoby time to develop his 3-point shot, to the point where he is a trusted shooter (38% on 6.4 attempts per game across the past two seasons). He has struggled with durability across the past two seasons (average of 45.5 games).
PF - Scottie Barnes
| H: 6’9″ | W: 227lbs | Age: 21 |
| Contract: 3 yr/$25.7 (RC) | Years Pro: 1 |
Career Averages:
15.3 pts, 7.5 reb, 3.5 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.7 blks, 1.8 to, 49.2%/30.1%/73.5%, 35.4 mins
Averages Last Season:
15.3 pts, 7.5 reb, 3.5 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.7 blks, 1.8 to, 49.2%/30.1%/73.5%, 35.4 mins
2022-23 Projections:
15.7 pts, 7.6 reb, 3.5 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.8 blks, 1.8 to, 50.5%/31.9%/74.8%
Last season, Scottie Barnes played at a level many thought would’ve taken years for him to develop into. He was critical to the Raptors return to the playoffs, showing off elite shooting from the midrange and being a presence rebounding on both the offensive and defensive end. The defensive skills shown through college translated at the NBA level, while the Raptors were happy to let him play-make and facilitate the offence. Barnes was more NBA-ready than many thought, resulting in his selection as Rookie of the Year.
C - Pascal Siakam
| H: 6’9″ | W: 230lbs | Age: 28 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$73.3m | Years Pro: 6 |
Career Averages:
15.7 pts, 6.3 reb, 3.1 asts, 0.9 stls, 0.7 blks, 1.8 to, 48.9%/32.8%/77.4%, 29.5 mins
Averages Last Season:
22.8 pts, 8.5 reb, 5.3 asts, 1.3 stls, 0.6 blks, 2.7 to, 49.4%/34.4%/74.9%, 37.9 mins
2022-23 Projections:
20.2 pts, 7.3 reb, 4.4 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.6 blks, 2.3 to, 47.9%/33.3%/77.3%
Pascal Siakam has realised his potential and become a do-it-all two-way forward. Siakam’s presence as a lengthy, athletic defender (wingspan of 7’3”) is crucial to the Raptors defensive system. They can play him at either PF or C, and can switch onto wings or defend big men. The biggest growth of Siakam’s game has been offensively, partnering with Kawhi Leonard to lead the Raptors to their first title in 2019, and becoming an All-Star for this first time in 2020. He’s now a trusted scorer that works in the mid-range/post.
Backups
G - Malachi Flynn
| H: 6’1″ | W: 175lbs | Age: 24 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$6.0m (RC) | Years Pro: 2 |
Malachi Flynn took a step back last season, struggling to make it as a lead guard off the bench. A combination of limited opportunity and injuries hampered his sophomore season, resulting in a reduction in minutes. The Raptors hope that Flynn can step up and become a backup who can be a tenacious perimeter defender, while being a facilitator and scoring option on offence.
F - Otto Porter Jr.
| H: 6’8″ | W: 198lbs | Age: 29 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$12.3m | Years Pro: 9 |
Once a key member in a Washington Wizards rebuild, Otto Porter Jr’s career has been marred with injuries. When he was consistently on the court, he was a vital floor spacer that was a strong perimeter defender – but only played a combined 98 games across 3 seasons prior to arriving with the Warriors. Last season, he played an important role coming off the bench, re-establishing himself as a high-end perimeter defender. He signed with the Raptors during the off-season after coming off a championship.
F - Thaddeus Young
| H: 6’8″ | W: 235lbs | Age: 34 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$16.0m | Years Pro: 15 |
Thaddeus Young has been a trustworthy veteran for 7 different franchises across 15 years of professional basketball. His presence as both a perimeter and rim-protecting defender, combined with his athletic rebounding from the PF position, has given his teams confidence in two of the unglamourous areas of basketball. Young will do the same in a reduced role with the Raptors.
F/C - Precious Achiuwa
| H: 6’8″ | W: 225lbs | Age: 23 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$7.2m (RC) | Years Pro: 2 |
Precious Achiuwa arrived from the Miami Heat in the sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. He was given starting opportunities in place of Siakam to begin last season, but didn’t take advantage of these, showcasing poor interior scoring efficiency and high turnover numbers. Achiuwa is very much a Montrezl Harrell-type player – an undersized, high energy big man who’s a strong rebounder and rim protector. He just needs to improve his scoring efficiency.
C - Khem Birch
| H: 6’9″ | W: 233lbs | Age: 30 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$13.7m | Years Pro: 5 |
Khem Birch has worked hard to find his place in the NBA. A former third-string Centre for the Orlando Magic, Birch is a hustler for the offensive rebound, averaging just as many offensive as defensive rebounds last season. While he has shown the occasional flash of a 3-point shot, Birch brings defensive value to the Raptors bench, who can also come in and be a part-time starter in case of injury.
The Rest
11. Chris Boucher (PF/C)
12. Dalano Banton (PG)
13. Juancho Hernangomez (PF)
14. Christian Koloko (C)
15. Justin Champagnie (SF/PF)
T-W. Ron Harper Jr (SG/SF)
T-W. Jeff Dowtin (PG)
Season Projections
Sports betting agencies currently have the Toronto Raptors win totals sitting at 45.5 wins, equal with the Atlanta Hawks in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. I feel like that’s a good representation of where the Raptors are at. They got the 6th seed last season with 48 wins, and they didn’t do much to improve their team over the off-season, compared to their rival Hawks, Cavs and 76ers. The Raptors are definitely good enough to be competing for automatic playoff spots, but the quality of the Eastern Conference may push the team to the play-in tournament.
Conclusion
The Toronto Raptors bounced back after a turmoil-filled 2021 campaign to be a playoff team and give themselves a chance to get back to the Finals. But they ran out of legs, coming up against a 76ers squad with two of the decade’s best players. While disappointing, the roster is young enough to go around and have another crack at postseason success.
The reason why the Raptors can do this is due to the emergence of Scottie Barnes. As mentioned, he was massive for this Raptors team, being a dependable source of offence, while maintaining his defensive prowess, accumulated with his length and development in college. He is the glue guy that can lift the ceiling that has capped the potential of this Raptors squad – bringing together a scary defensive front court of himself, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. There’s potential for this line-up to become bigger, if they decide to bring another defensive Centre off the bench and into the starting line-up.
The Raptor’s off-season remained consistent with their plan for this roster. Acquiring Otto Porter Jr and re-signing Thaddeus Young and Chris Boucher fulfils their roster philosophy of acquiring players with length and defensive versatility. Christian Koloko will be a very interesting prospect to look out for in the coming years. Standing 7’1” with a 7’5” wingspan, Koloko will be playing a lot of this season in the G-League, but has the potential to be the future starting Centre for the Raptors.
In the seasons following Kawhi Leonard’s departure, the core of Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam has been unstable, hampered with injuries and not able to have a meaningful run at getting back to the NBA Finals. That’s why this season is so important. The one thing the Raptors won’t want is to be a middling playoff team – a team good enough for the playoffs, but not good enough to compete for the Eastern Conference championship. The Raptors organisation will find out this season whether they’re still good enough to be a championship contender.
So where do the Raptors need to improve to be in the top echelon of the Eastern Conference? Last season they ranked 15th and 9th for offensive and defensive efficiency, so offensive improvement is a must. If healthy, there’s a chance this team can improve on both sides of the ball, considering that Siakam and Anunoby, who are both important to the Raptors’ system, missed time last season. Defensively, it’s exciting to think about the frontcourt of Anunoby, Barnes and Siakam, combined with the perimeter work of VanVleet. All four are above-average to elite defenders at their respective positions, so having all four on the court at the same time could be a nightmare for opposing offences.
There’s a lot of potential for this Raptors team to go for a deep playoff run and match their successes of 2019. That being said, the Eastern Conference has improved considerably and the Raptors are right in the mix of 8-9 teams wanting to contend and make the playoffs. While I believe defensively this squad will be one of the best in the league, offensively they will be challenged. They are lacking a superstar that can score at will and give the team a bucket when needed. Siakam has flashed signs of becoming this, but has yet to take the next step and ascend to become a superstar in the NBA. If the Raptors want to be a serious contender, Siakam has to be a 27+ point per game scorer.
It’s going to be an interesting season for the Raptors, where they’re favoured to be a playoff team. The question will be where they rank in comparison to the other Eastern Conference contenders. I’m predicting the Raptors to win 46 games this season and rank 8th in the Eastern Conference. We will see if this core of VanVleet, Anunoby, Barnes and Siakam can mix it with the best, while I’m predicting Siakam to make a leap as a scorer, now that Barnes can come in and take responsibility as the main defender.