After being eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals, one sentiment was echoed by both Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and star guard Kyle Lowry: it’s highly unlikely that we bring everyone back next year.
It was true, nevertheless. The statements may have been stated to save face and instill a glimpse of silver lining into retaining all of their upcoming free agents, but the overall notion had already settled in. The Raptors would be a slightly different looking team, one way or another. It’s no one’s fault to blame given the insane amount of production from the underdog squad. They were thought to be an aftermath meltdown after the departure of Kawhi Leonard.
Fred VanVleet turned in an insane year from all aspects of his game. It was well known that he wouldn’t retain the measly two-year, $18 million contract of which he’d just come off. The same could be said for Serge Ibaka, who’d had a career year himself and was looking for a huge bump in his salary.
How well the Raptors front office landed on their feet remains to be seen as the season gets underway.
Free Agency
The Raptors had three free agents that they felt the ultimate need to retain in VanVleet, Ibaka, and Marc Gasol. The end result was only being able to keep one, with VanVleet inking a four-year, $85 million deal as free agency commenced. Given both Ibaka and VanVleet’s career years, it was unlikely that Toronto could keep both players.
VanVleet’s scoring averages had jumped from his 2018-19 season in which he averaged only 11 points per game while dishing out 4.8 assists. He was given nearly a 10-minute bump in playing time during the 2019-20 season, which saw his averages increase to 17.6 points and 6.6 assists. He’s one of the more integral pieces of Nurse’s offense, which could suggest that he was a priority ahead of Ibaka.
The speculation was that Toronto brass would keep at least one of their two bigs in Gasol and Ibaka, with Gasol being the likely option. Given Gasol’s age, his asking price would be significantly less than it’s been in prior years. He’s still a formidable big that can stretch the floor and open lanes, but the 35-year-old isn’t getting any younger.
Still, the Raptors weren’t able to re-sign Gasol either, losing him to the new defending champions in the Los Angeles Lakers. Both Gasol and Ibaka were a major reason for the Raptors’ success through most of the season. With two undersized guards in VanVleet and Lowry, having the pair of bigs in sync was critical.
The Raptors were able to sign Aron Baynes, though, who was thought to be a top target for most teams coming into free agency. He secured the bag after the successful season he had with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. While he doesn’t possess necessarily the same skillset as Ibaka, he also comes with a mental toughness that may prove to be better for the Raptors.
Baynes is arguably the better defender in the case of both Ibaka and Gasol, and he can step back and drill the occasional 3-pointer if need be. The 6-foot-10 Australian shot 35.1 percent from deep last season, his highest mark of his career. One area that’ll likely see his production increase is his playing time. With the Raptors being short on legitimate, proven bigs, Baynes will surely see starter minutes this season, which could benefit both the Raptors and him.
Draft
The Raptors weren’t heavily rumored to make many moves heading into the draft. They only had two picks slotted at Nos. 29 and 59 in a weak draft class.
They were able to grab Malachi Flynn with the 29th overall pick from San Diego State University. While he still has a bit of development to achieve, the 6-foot-1 guard is coming off an impressive season with SDSU. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. He’ll likely receive some decent minutes behind Lowry and VanVleet if he can prove himself early on.
They also selected Jalen Harris with the second-to-last pick of the draft. It’s unlikely that he sees an insane amount of playing time in an already-crowded backcourt.
Outlook
The overall goal for the Raptors wasn’t to go after big free agents or draft high in this year’s draft; it was to continue the player development of their young standouts. Pascal Siakam, who they signed to a max deal nearly a year ago, will look to improve all aspects of his game after a lackluster showing in the playoffs. Still, he’s primed for a bright future compared to the small sample size of slumps he’s had.
OG Anunoby is another young talent that’s becoming more treasurable to the Raptors front office. He’s continuously showed his potential in recent years, while having another breakout year during the 2019-20 season.
Offseason Grade: B+
Toronto is more concerned with building its core for the future, and that didn’t require much work this offseason.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
