Toronto Raptors: Is there a glimmer of hope heading into 2021-22?
By Austin Lloyd
Taking a way-too-early look at what could potentially lay ahead for the Toronto Raptors in 2021-22.
Labeling the performance of the Toronto Raptors last season as “disappointing” would be a vast understatement. A final record with under 30 wins, their first time outside of the playoff bracket in several years, and so on; there were not a lot of positives to go off of.
NBA rumors had done little to soften the blow, and the exact same can be said about them now. This, of course, most namely involves the thought of losing veteran Kyle Lowry to another destination.
Indeed it has been safe to say that, as of late, the future has looked brighter for the Raps. However, is there a possibility that things are looking up some after the NBA Draft?
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How bright is the Toronto Raptors’ future?
The answer to that question is subjective and, quite frankly, moot. Toronto acquired three players in this year’s draft (Scottie Barnes, Dalano Banton, and David Johnson, respectively), and while they have all shown promise, their abilities only mean so much until they can actually be seen in the NBA environment.
But nonetheless, the Raptors obtaining three young talents all together is obviously a diamond in the recent rough, especially considering that one of them was taken 4th overall.
Speaking of which, it is almost a guarantee that Barnes will be seeing some serious playtime right off the bat, or at least noticeably more than his fellow Toronto draftees. If the aforementioned Lowry has officially closed his window as a Raptor, there is a likelihood that the young star out of Florida State can be a face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Digging deeper with such a concept, let’s assume that Lowry is gone, and one-time All-Star Pascal Siakam ends up not being traded. Toronto could have a starting lineup consisting of Siakam, Barnes, and star Fred VanVleet.
Those three can ball, would likely get along, and would definitely have the longevity required to make a true impact on the league as a trio. VanVleet and Siakam are the “elders” of the three, and even they are only 27 years young.
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The long and short of it is that, even without Lowry, the Raptors have a roster that can survive its woes, especially in the long run. Their division may be brutal, but a team in today’s Eastern Conference can break even and still stand a realistic chance of making a playoff spot. With that in mind, a postseason slate should in no way be unobtainable for the Raps.