Kevin Garnett once said, “Anything is possible.”
In the 2024 playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers and Jalen Brunson of the Knicks both led teams most fans thought were not competitive enough on runs deep into the postseason.
Top dogs like the Nuggets and Bucks saw early exits. There is more parity throughout the league than there ever was. With no heavy favorite to win the championship, every organization is looking for a way to take advantage.
So what does a team like the Raptors need in order to compete in the foreseeable future?
Go 12 Players Deep
The bench makes the difference.
One great player doesn’t guarantee a championship in the current NBA. For consistent success, franchises need to go eight or nine deep. The Raptors can learn from their past success in this regard.
The 2019 championship team featured perennial All-Star Kawhi Leonard. But what made that team so successful was their ability to depend on a different guy every night. In any given game, Danny Green, Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry or any other guy could give defenses 20 points. Defensive anchors Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka made rotations easier when the Raptors wanted to push the ball.
The first step towards restoring the once great franchise is reestablishing their bench presence. The Raptors have begun that process through the draft. Young talent like Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter have the potential to bring some quality scoring when starters RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley need rest.
The 2024 draft saw the Raptors make a move for Kings guard Davion “Off-Night” Mitchell. The 25-year-old point guard out of Baylor has not seen the offensive success he once experienced in college, but the defensive energy he brings off the bench goes deeper than a box score may show.
A solid perimeter defender is a must-have for any team hoping to compete. In the current age of the NBA where guard play is at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever to have a guy to shut down elite playmakers. Acquiring Mitchell is a step in the right direction for a bench unit looking to improve.
Quality Big Men
It’s easy to be mesmerized by the greatness of small, quick guards like Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving. It is becoming clear once again, however, that it’s difficult to compete with a dominant presence in the paint. After bolstering the backcourt with offensive catalysts Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett last year, the most glaring issue is frontcourt play.
Following the loss of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, Toronto has been trying (to no avail) to find their replacements. The 2024 season also saw the loss of longtime power forward Pascal Siakam. The saying “one piece away” is often overused, as if this roster were truly one piece away, the Raptors would have found a way to win with Siakam. The Pacers managed to find a way after all.
What Toronto needs is a pair of big men that can compliment the playstyles of their offensive stars. A bona fide defensive anchor who can rebound consistently— not undersized bigs who can space the floor but are liabilities down low.
The Raptors have proven they are willing to be aggressive in the trade market if they feel the move they make will lead to a championship. Toronto has already acquired enough offensive resources. It’s time to go out into the market to get a traditional center that can restore the defensive identity of a champion.
Cultivating Confidence
The 2024 Raptors are going to be young.
One of the biggest challenges for the coaching staff is going to be instilling confidence in these players. The transition from college to the NBA is often overlooked. Many players go from being one of the best in the college landscape to just another guy in the league.
Obviously the Raptors don’t have a guy with the clutch gene of Kobe or Jordan, guys like that come along maybe once a generation. But what the Raptors need is one, or multiple player(s), that are willing to take the last shot. Someone who is willing to put the team on his back and take the fate of the game into his own hands.
Whether it be one of Toronto’s premier shot makers in RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley, or the young star on the rise in Scottie Barnes. Someone is going to have to step up if the Raptors are to take the next step towards championship contention.
So how does a staff create the confidence within the team to take that shot? In a season where the Raptors are likely going to still be in development, the coaching staff should allow for different players to take over in clutch situations.
This ensures, when the Raptors are ready to make a run for the throne, everyone is ready to step up if their number is called.
The Rebuild is Coming to a Close
With no clear-cut favorite to win the title, it’s time for teams with potential to take the next step.
The worst thing a franchise can do is tread water for a prolonged amount of time. A team that isn’t bad enough to get a top draft pick but doesn’t commit to making a run at the top doesn’t accomplish anything except become accustomed to mediocrity. That is a surefire way to lose the support of both a fanbase and the players within that team.
It’s time for the Raptors to commit and reestablish themselves among the top dogs in the East.
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