If the Raptors want to remain competitive, they need to play Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby more minutes, argues Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
Grange points out that Barnes’ year-over-year minutes are virtually unchanged despite the noticeable improvements he’s made in his third season, while Siakam — who led the league in minutes per game each of the past two seasons — and Anunoby are both playing fewer minutes in 2023/24. That three-man group has a plus-1.3 net rating, compared to the team’s overall minus-1.5 mark.
New head coach Darko Rajakovic has been reluctant to extend his top players beyond the 38-minute mark, however.
“One thing that we cannot overlook is… we have (had) a pretty healthy roster this season,” said Rajakovic. “That’s a testament to our medical staff but also us working together to try to manage those minutes. I always look at the long-term benefits for the player, for the team, for the organization and for everybody. I think that every single night running guys to 38, 40 minutes, it’s really, really hard. But on certain nights if that happens, it happens.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic:
- Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca considers potential trade targets for the Raptors, focusing on solid young player who have a chance to become stars. Pelicans wing Trey Murphy, Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley and Hawks forward Jalen Johnson are three of the five players Murphy mentions.
- Sixers guard De’Anthony Melton sustained a left thigh contusion in the first half of Wednesday’s contest against Minnesota and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, the team announced (Twitter link via Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports). Melton, who has started every game for the 76ers while averaging 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals, will be a free agent in 2024.
- With Nicolas Batum (hamstring) and Robert Covington (illness) both out for Wednesday’s game, Sixers backup center Paul Reed said he was ready to play in the frontcourt alongside Joel Embiid if necessary, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The two big men shared the together for 62 seconds in Monday’s loss to Chicago, Pompey notes. “I’ve got to make sure I’m ready to be out there again with [Embiid], if need be,” Reed said. “… I wish we were able to spend more time out there [Monday], so we can have a better rhythm.”
The Raptors are pretty unwatchable. It’s been clear for a few years now that they’re not a contender or even a top 6 team in the east. Please rebuild.
OG for Huerter and picks…
Siakam, Thad, Temple for Walker, Hield, Nesmith, 2 picks
Playing those 3 together with a C is called their existing starting lineup. Is this clown saying increase their minutes, or just rotate them out at the same time? If the latter, it’s more of the 3 together (good presumably), but also none of the 3 with the bench (bad presumably, since, sure it can get worse). How about leaving the deck chairs where they are, and add 3 pt shooting on the floor for spacing? Maybe both units play better. Just a thought.
Raptors have been trading Siakam and OG for two yrs now. They ask for a haul. And no one has offered it yet. They move both. Then they will be in full rebuild around Barnes. Top 5 pick next yr gets you a real PG. Wouldn’t be a bad move for Raptors.