After several underwhelming seasons, the Toronto Raptors have invested in the youth.
The team traded Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby last season and acquired some young talent in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. In the Siakam trade, they acquired Bruce Brown, one of the best role players in the league.
Masai Ujiri believes that Scottie Barnes will be the next franchise player to lead a new era for the Raptors. Barnes was a first-time All-Star last year and had career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks while improving his 3-point percentage to 34 percent.
While they are far from seriously competing with the top teams in the league, the Raptors should be fun to watch this coming season, given their roster's potential.
With the season starting soon, I will review season averages and pick a player I like for specific statistical categories, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Immanuel Quickley
Averaging 3+ Threes Per Game (+145)
Ever since he entered the league, one of Immanuel Quickley's strengths has been his outside shot. During his three and half seasons as the sixth man for the New York Knicks, Quickley's shooting and ability to get hot would be a huge spark that would help lead to wins.
Now, going into his first full year as a starter for the Toronto Raptors after signing a five-year deal worth 175 million, he can let it fly. Quickly, I can shoot it off the dribble and as a spot-up shooter. He put up good numbers from 3-point range last season for the North, making 2.8 out of his 7.1 attempts per game, which converts to 39 percent.
With Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett looking to break down defenses when driving to the basket, Quickley will be relied upon to knock down perimeter shots and be an outside threat, as the Raptors' starting lineup only has so much spacing.
Scottie Barnes
Averaging 10+ Rebounds Per Game (+800)
Scottie Barnes could be in double-figure averages for rebounds for a season.
Just in his third season last year, he averaged 8.2 rebounds. 2.4 of those rebounds were offensive boards, which placed him in the top 25 in that category. What's extremely impressive about that is Barnes isn't even a big, but due to his lengthy 7'3" wingspan, it certainly is a boost when going up for the basketball.
Barnes increased his statistical categories last season, continuing into his fourth year. He's a stat-sheet stuffer who can impact the game in many ways on offense and defense. Barnes must lead the way and increase production as the new franchise player. He has the franchise in his hands, so there's no reason not to go all out.
