Heading into the offseason, the Toronto Raptors could undergo significant changes. We explore three that they should absolutely be open to.
If there’s one thing that has been clear over the last few months for the Toronto Raptors, it’s that this is a team that could be on the verge of some big changes this offseason. But it’s not just the fact that they’ve underwhelmed this season. It goes well beyond that.
You can point to the team’s curious actions (or reported actions) at the NBA Trade Deadline and the recent comments from head coach Nick Nurse as additional clues to what could await the Raptors during the offseason.
And there is now merit to those clues. According to a recent report, the expectation around the league is that there will be a significant change in Toronto this offseason. The big question, of course, is what does “significant change” entail?
In anticipation of what could be an eventful offseason, we explore three significant changes that the Raptors should be open to this summer.
A new head coach for the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse has already been on record saying that he’s going to reevaluate things this offseason. That’s such an odd statement for a coach that would want to remain in the fold. My gut tells me that either Nurse is ready to step away from the game for a year or two or that he’s ready for a fresh start.
Either way, there’s a chance (and perhaps a good one) that Nurse ends up parting ways with the Raptors this offseason. Quite frankly, it’s something that the Raptors should be open to at this point. Especially considering the other changes that could also be in their future.
A new approach to Free Agency as a retooling begins for the Toronto Raptors
Heading into this offseason’s free agency period, the Toronto Raptors will potentially have to make decisions on Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., Jakob Poeltl, and Otto Porter. Perhaps last offseason, it would’ve been a no-brainer to re-sign most if not all of those players. However, I’m not sure that should be the approach for the Raptors heading into this summer. In fact, I would say that the Raptors should be open to a new approach this offseason. That’s because I believe the Raptors should be retooling rather than re-upping.
After taking a step back this season, the Raptors need to have a serious discussion about their future and where they stand. When Kawhi Leonard left, the Raptors tried to quickly retool. It hasn’t worked all that well. They’ve had fringe success but perhaps it’s time for another retooling, and maybe this time around OG Anunoby.
As free agency begins, there’s a chance that the Raptors lose out on both VanVleet and Trent Jr. but it could also be by design, perhaps working sign and trades for both of them. You’d have to imagine that Poeltl is a player they’ll want to re-sign either way.
It could be a very different offseason for the Raptors.
The Toronto Raptors trading OG Anunoby
The biggest move that the Toronto Raptors could end up making this offseason is trading one of their big stars, Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby. I don’t think they would trade both of them over the course of one offseason but they could decide to move one of them. And because of the fit next to Scottie Barnes, I’d imagine that the Raptors would lean toward keeping Siakam over Anunoby if they had to decide.
That means, picking up from where they left off at the NBA Trade Deadline, the Raptors could end up trading Anunoby during the offseason. At this point, it’s something that Toronto should be open to if they’re ready for a retooling of sorts. Anunoby is a really good player but the Raptors clearly need a change and what he would bring back in trade assets may end up being more helpful to the team in the long run.
The Raptors could be in for some major changes this offseason but it’s also something that could be exciting. Toronto is talented enough that they could retool without taking a huge step back and if that is indeed on the table for the Raptors, it’s certainly something they should explore.