Toronto Raptors Roster 2019 Raptors Roster

The Toronto Raptors took a huge gamble in the offseason, trading away the team's star to bring in the disgruntled Kawhi Leonard from San Antonio. This instantly establishes them as the co-favorites in the post-Lebron Eastern Conference. Frustrated with playoff exits they deemed to be too early, the Raptors sacked coach Dwayne Casey and hired longtime NBA assistant Nick Nurse as head coach. Nurse is definitely a feel-good story, but whether he is the coach to get the Raptors over the hump remains to be seen. Toronto has established a reputation for playing the good teams tough, but then not bringing it in the playoffs. However, this team is built to excel in May, and with Kawhi Leonard, this may be the season that Toronto makes a deep playoff run. With Leonard and Kyle Lowry as sure things, much will depend on how the role players step up around them.

Toronto Raptors Roster Top 3 Questions

Toronto is a roster that continues to be at the top of the East, and it starts with their two all-star guards, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Both have strong regular seasons, but falter in the playoffs. We saw their minutes limited because of the strong play of the bench at times. Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet both played well of the bench and was one of the reasons why Toronto was so strong this year. The wing position has never been a strong point for the Raptors and that was the case again. They used Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, and C.J. Miles for the most part, neither of them provided a ton of production. Serge Ibaka is what he is at this stage of his career, but that is a solid veteran power forward. Jonas Valanciunas plays alongside him, but Toronto will give Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl some run.

Can Toronto Keep Kawhi Happy?

Oklahoma City took a similar gamble with Paul George and it worked when they re-signed him in free agency. In parting with Demar DeRozan, the Raptors paid a steep price for Leonard. Whether he is happy will be a constant question being asked this season, and it will color how this team is coached. For example, it will mean that the team will have to be vigilant about giving Leonard frequent rest when he wants it, which was an issue that poisoned his relationship with the Spurs. When Leonard is in the lineup, there are few defenders in the league that are better and he brings a much different look than the one-dimensional DeRozan.

Who Will be the Third Fiddle?

Each great team needs three legitimate options on offense. Toronto has Leonard and Lowry, but needs a third source for scoring. This should likely be Serge Ibaka. The power forward has always shown flashes of breaking out offensively, but this could be the year when he does. With two Leonard and Lowry on the floor, options should be created for Ibaka, who has become more of the stretch four that thrives in the NBA. Now, Ibaka will get some time in the middle at center when the Raptors want to go small, taking minutes from Jonas Valancianus. Ibaka's offensive efficiency, combined with his new role, should lead to increased production.

How Good is the Bench?

There is no question that the Raptors have one of the best starting lineups in the Eastern Conference. The question is whether the bench can sustain the advantage when the starters rest. The Raptors took a big step to strengthen the bench by signing Greg Monroe, who was inconsistent as a starter. His game is more suited for a bench role and should get a boost in Toronto. Pascal Siakam is also an intriguing player who will contribute points and rebounds if he can get the minutes. The Raptors do not have many weaknesses on their second unit. In fact, the bench is one of the team's greatest strengths.