Toronto Raptors: To take a step forward, a step back is necessary in 2019-20
By Amin Golnabi
As expected the Toronto Raptors will likely take a step back in 2019-20
The Toronto Raptors finally achieved the unthinkable on June 13th, 2019 when Kawhi Leonard sunk a contested layup as the Game 6 of the NBA Finals came to a close. Toronto – in large part due to Kawhi – defeated the high and mighty Golden State Warriors in a series full of excitement, clinching the team’s first NBA Championship.
The entire country of Canada got a taste of the most prestigious basketball honor in the world as the Raptors lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time in franchise history.
Not long after the championship parade, arguably the most exciting NBA free agency period in recent history began as basketball fans experienced an array of Woj Bombs which indicated so many superstars’ new destinations.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
After a long wait and despite the great efforts of Masai Ujiri and the rest of the Raptors’ front office, Kawhi Leonard made his decision of going to the Los Angeles Clippers in the most surprising way by bringing along one of the top 2-way players in the league, Paul George (who secretly demanded a trade away from OKC).
With the departure of the “Dynasty Killer” and sharp-shooter Danny Green from the North, what now? Can they still compete for the Eastern Conference title or should they trade their valuable assets and begin rebuilding?
The best decision (probably) for this franchise is to trade their effective aging players like Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry, and Serge Ibaka while they still hold significant value.
Toronto, with their current roster, will most likely make the playoffs, but a first-round exit seems very likely as the top-tier contenders in the East stayed hot this summer and are in full pursuit of a title this year. It’d be in the best interest of the team to try and maxamize the current (aging) assets that they have currently on their roster and hope their younger ones could blossom into stars.
With young and promising talents like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Norman Powell the future is bright for the 416. Some more young prospects and lottery picks in exchange for their vets can bring ‘The 6’ right back to contention within the next few years.
Next. Utah Jazz: An overlooked contender in a loaded Western Conference. dark
It just won’t happen this season, though. And after winning their first NBA Championship, the Raptors shouldn’t have any problem with waiting for their youngsters to develop and take the next step.