Despite only two wins in seven games heading into their rematch with the Nuggets in Denver on Monday, the early days of this season have actually had far more positives than negatives for the Toronto Raptors.
Three of the losses were by six points or fewer, but the organization has made it clear that victories aren’t the only measuring stick for this young group. They are looking to the future, which is why player development is paramount for these 82 games.
On that front, things are looking a lot rosier than they were just a few weeks ago, which is a bit remarkable considering franchise player Scottie Barnes is out long-term after fracturing his right orbital bone in the team’s first meeting with NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, and starting point guard Immanuel Quickley has barely played at all ( RJ Barrett and others have missed time too).
But just 8.5% of the way through the schedule, a number of Raptors have raised their stock. Here are the biggest gainers:
GRADEY DICK
No Raptor has turned as many heads as Dick. The sophomore, who doesn’t turn 21 until later this month, has been a revelation, averaging 21 points (all stats prior to Monday night’s game) on 47% shooting, including 37% from three-point range. Dick averaged 8.5 points as a rookie and got to the free throw line less than once per game. Now he’s averaging 3.7 free throws. He also only blocked two shots as a teenager, but already has blocked three as part of his much-improved defensive game. Dick even got a key stop against Sacramento star De’Aaron Fox late on Saturday. It’s pretty clear Dick is going to be a really good offensive player. If he can be league average or better defensively, Dick could become one of the savviest Raptors draft picks ever. The 13th overall selection currently leads all second-year players in scoring. Victor Wembanyama who? (Just kidding!).
OCHAI AGBAJI
Toronto decided to surrender one of the three first-round picks acquired from Indiana for Pascal Siakam to get Agbaji and Canadian veteran Kelly Olynyk from Utah. Agbaji, 23 at the time of the deal, had an NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award under his belt and a reputation as a talented defender with the potential to one day be a three-point threat. But he struggled in his first 27 games as a Raptor, 18 of them starts, as the lineup was severely depleted. Agbaji shot 39% in those games, averaging just 6.7 points and making only 15 of 69 three-point attempts. His advanced stats were dreadful. Don’t expect Agbaji to sustain his .680 true shooting percentage or 45.5% three-point accuracy (including 63% from the corners) or expect him to keep hitting two thirds of his two-point attempts, but it looks like Toronto’s evaluators were on to something with the last pick of the 2022 lottery. He also has provided solid perimeter defence on a team that sorely needs it.
RJ BARRETT
Barrett, a couple months younger than Agbaji and a former No. 3 overall draft pick, played the best basketball of his career after being acquired by the Raptors. His shot selection changed, his efficiency shot way up to all-star levels and his 4.1 assists per game were easily career highs. But could he keep it up? Barrett had turned in some hot stretches before. Surely he would tail off a bit, right? So far, that’s a loud wrong. Granted we’re talking four games, but coming off a shoulder injury that cost Barrett most of the pre-season, he has returned at an even higher level. He has averaged 28.8 points on 49% shooting from the field (46% from beyond the arc, vs. his 34.8% career mark from there). And the assists are up to 7.3 a night with both Barnes and Quickley out of the lineup. Where things go from here will be very interesting.
JAKOB POELTL
After a poor opening-night performance, Poeltl has mostly been really good. He has been spectacular on the boards, averaging 12 rebounds a game for a team that has surprised rebounding-wise. His defence has been the best of all Raptors, and though he isn’t quite finishing as well as he has in the past and needs to cut down on his career-worst turnover rate, Poeltl has been a force. Masai Ujiri has consistently said he believes Poeltl is a Top 10 centre and the Austrian has played like it. Whether he sticks around for the team’s turnaround in the next few years remains a big question, but if not, his trade value is only going up.
CHRIS BOUCHER
Speaking of trades, it was thought Boucher might be gone by now. He didn’t fit Darko Rajakovic’s offensive system last season and wasn’t in the rotation consistently. But the Canadian big man has forced his way into the mix with some dynamic efforts off the bench. Boucher is averaging 10.9 points in only 17.4 minutes, he has cut his turnovers way back, and managed to remain effective even without his Dennis Rodman-like frenetic offensive rebounding of the past (his offensive rebound rate is about a third of where it usually is). A valued teammate and locker room guy, Boucher should be in demand if the Raptors do opt to make a move down the line.
JAMAL SHEAD
(Honourable mention)
The rookie Shead has had to play a bigger role than expected with Quickley out. Davion Mitchell has started instead of being the sixth man, while Shead has been the backup point guard. Shead had a great camp and his speed, tenacity and defensive know-how have stood out, but the as-advertised shooting limitations remain an issue. He looks like a find for a 45th pick, but could use more seasoning in the G League. With Mitchell struggling (7-for-27 from three and way too many turnovers), Shead’s role might just get bigger even once Quickley returns.
@WolstatSun