Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors could have blown things up in the end, trading names like Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. for advisers and draft picks. Instead, Toronto acted as a buyer, trading for Spurs big man Jakob Poeltl.
Ujiri seems committed to head coach Nick Nurse and the style of basketball he’s trying to play, which is a bit dicey considering all the struggles the Raptors have endured in their lackluster 26-year season. 31. However, Poeltl’s rim protector gives Toronto one of the qualities they’ve been sorely lacking in recent months.
Toronto needs to be 15-10 in its remaining 25 games to reach .500, which should give it a reasonable chance of hosting at least one home qualifier. While making the No. 8 playoffs isn’t an ideal outcome for anyone, I would never blame a team for trying to win.
If the Raptors are going to achieve that goal with Poeltl in the fight, they’ll need the outstanding performances of these three players on their roster. Starting to improve and become the best possible version of themselves, this trio could propel Toronto into the playoffs.
3 Toronto Raptors to be promoted after Jakob Poeltl trade.
3.Joe Wieskamp
Is it unfair to include Wieskamp, who just signed a standard Justin Champagnie/DJ Wilson/Armoni Brooks-style multi-year deal with the Raptors, on this list? No way. Rather than pursue a takeover goal, Toronto opted to use their last remaining spot on Wieskamp, and with good reason.
The Raptors remain a weak offensive team, and Wieskamp’s shot may be the only reason Toronto decided to bring him back. While Juancho Hernangomez wasn’t able to sniff from 3-pointers as effectively as Nick Nurse would have liked, Wieskamp hit his three three-pointers.
Will Joe Wieskamp play a role for the Toronto Raptors?
Nurse showed he was willing to try all sorts of unusual combinations. If Wieskamp’s shot offers more value than Hernangomez’s skill or Malachi Flynn’s erratic attacking play, Nurse will likely stick with him for the rest of the season.
Ujiri hinted that the last quarter of the season will be an evaluation phase where he will determine the value of future free agents like Poeltl and VanVleet. Wieskamp could emerge as a substitute if he fires in his first appearances.
Source: raptorsrapture.com
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