The Raptors made a change to their starting five on Wednesday, inserting Gary Trent Jr. into the lineup in place of Dennis Schröder. As Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca writes, the previous starters are the only five-man group in the NBA this season that has played at least 175 minutes and been outscored, so a change was overdue.
While the new starting lineup was technically outscored in 10 minutes of action on Wednesday, forwards Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby looked more comfortable operating with additional space on the floor and each scored 20-plus points en route to a blowout victory over Washington. Schröder also thrived in his new role off the bench — he was a game-high +29 in his 28 minutes, dishing 10 assists to go along with his nine points.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic said the new lineup isn’t set in stone, notes Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca, but it should give the Raptors more information on their roster as the trade deadline approaches. As Lewenberg outlines, the team will get to see whether Barnes and Siakam fit better together with another shooter on the floor, as well as evaluating whether Barnes can hold his own operating as the primary play-maker without a point guard alongside him.
According to Lewenberg, the Raptors don’t really have the personnel to play the way that Rajakovic would like to, so he’ll have to be flexible in his philosophies in order to adapt to this roster — the starting lineup tweak, which he long resisted, is a reflection of that.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- The Nets essentially punted away Wednesday’s game vs. Milwaukee, the second in a back-to-back set, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. In addition to holding out starters Cameron Johnson, Nic Claxton, and Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn didn’t use Mikal Bridges, Royce O’Neale, or Cam Thomas after the first quarter, giving them a de facto rest day too. “I’ve got to think short term and long term and make executive decisions for the betterment of the group,” Vaughn told reporters ahead of the 144-122 loss. “So that’s where we’re at tonight. Just being smart about what is presented in front of us.”
- The Nets‘ plan on Wednesday didn’t sit particularly well with Bridges, who extended his games played streak to 423 despite only logging 12 minutes, all in the first quarter, Braziller writes for The New York Post. Bridges said he didn’t want to “just get in there for the streak,” adding that he’s healthy and would’ve been fine playing more. “Didn’t like the choice and whatever that was. But it’s whatever,” Bridges said. “Definitely was not a fan.”
- Echoing a recent story from Ian Begley of SNY.tv, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post cites multiple sources who say Klutch Sports has “made it clear it’d prefer not to do business” with the Knicks. While Klutch obviously couldn’t stop the Knicks from trading for one of its clients, Bondy suggests that “landmines are set and often detonated if a player or his camp don’t want to be there.” Still, Bondy believes there’s a real chance of peace between the two sides, noting that both Rich Paul and the Knicks are open to meeting to work out their issues. The origins of the beef aren’t known, though Bondy speculates within his story about some possible factors.
The Brooklyn Nets did not play on Christmas Day. Nobody played the day before Christmas. 2 Full days of rest was not enough to have your team play a back-to-back???? 2 weeks ago just about everybody got several days off from In-Season Tournament. Did the tickets get discounted??? Why not cut 20 games off the schedule if guys are not capable of playing a basketball game on 2 consecutive nights. The checks all get cashed!
Siakam for Dejounte and Hunter with a first.
OG for Huerter and a first or OG, Flynn for Dort & Giddey with a first.
Thad Young and Otto for Bertans and a late pick.
Would love that Siakam trade for the Raps, but don’t think that’s realistic. Hawks would def say no.
Also would love for the Raps to free Thad Young. I think he can still play. Just unfortunate he’s stuck at the end of the bench bc of their depth in the frontcourt.
Either way, agree that the Raps need to start making moves before this becomes another lost season, as it’s so obvious that the skillset of these collection of players don’t mesh well and not good enough to be a playoff team.
There’s also the Siakam for Hield, Jarace Walker, Nesmith and 2 firsts.
Begley echos Bondy? LOL. That pretty much cinches that each of their narratives didn’t come from the Knick FO and are Klutch proliferated nonsense. Rose has a fairly strict policy that would preclude anyone in the Knick FO from communicating with either Begley or Bondy (and others of their ilk). While it’s theoretically possible someone violated the policy and spoke to one of them, what are the odds that someone spoke to both of them? As a practical matter, if a Knick FO guy is willing to risk incurring Rose’s wrath, it would likely involve a national writer who can mask it better.
What has come out of the Knick FO and the FO’s of potential trade partners indicates that the NYK have zero interest in LaVine, and only curiosity interest in Murray, who was a potential target a couple of years ago before they signed Brunson, and, for that matter, Quickley ascended to where he is. Knicks have real needs, I’m betting they focus on them.
I wouldn’t mind Murray. But I’m not giving up RJ. Not interested in LaVine at all. This Klutch thing seems personal. NBA commissioner should get involved. Not a good look for NBA business.
About time they tried Scottie as the point forward and added GTJ for his shooting. It’s no surprise Schroder thrived coming off the bench he was almost sixth man of the year multiple times. And having a PG like Schroder on the bench would open up the reserve SG spot for Gradey to take when he starts making shots.
Still not really a fan of the raptors 3 forwards line up but atleast they are finally trying different things
“SNY.tv, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post cites multiple sources who say Klutch Sports has “made it clear it’d prefer not to do business” with the Knicks.”
WTF does this clown think he is. BronGM ??
No one is bigger than an NBA team. And certainly not bigger than the NBA. Silver should get involved here. No agency or Bron nutgrabber should be telling any NBA team. Who they can or can’t sign. This is a global business. NBA can let this PuffyWannabe dictate NBA business.
If he really feels like this. And really has a grudge against Rose (he use to work for him). Then he’s a BigAole to let this out so everyone knows. That’s just plain stupidity. Like a 10 yr old with a grudge ……
They shouldn’t even let him in the Garden. 86 his ares …….
DeM DeR and Drummond -TO- Knicks …