![]() Heavier usage and accountability of production will be needed by players, that in the past, had smaller roles. You never know with Nick Nurse though – the guy loves mixing things up – which provides more opportunity for us NBA fans to form speculations.Įach starter’s importance will vary this season because of recent departures. So, the starting lineup should be pretty set for at least the beginning of the season, barring injuries. Most Raptor fans are accustomed to the core group of players that have been staples throughout the past couple of years. The Raps lost Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol to the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, but were able to bring in Aron Baynes, Alex Len, Deandre Bembry, and re-sign Chris Boucher. The Toronto Raptors have had some changes to their roster over the free agency period, making us wonder what their projected starting five will be. And just like those seasons, this year’s team should be able to mix the right pieces together and hold poise amongst the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Tweaks to their starting lineup have been routine for the past few seasons. Cox/Getty Images) Ranking the Toronto Raptors’ projected starting lineupĪdaptation has become synonymous with the Toronto Raptors, as of recent. Per team policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse (Photo by Kevin C. 31 to exercise their option on all three players. In accordance with the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the Raptors had until Oct. The six-foot-five Wright, who was selected by Toronto with the 20th overall pick in the 2015 draft, also split time with the Raptors and their D League team last season. It’s not yet known whether he’ll be ready to play Wednesday. Nogueira sat out Sunday’s practice with a sprained left ankle. The seven-foot, 241-pound Nogueira, who was acquired from Atlanta in the 2014 off-season, saw action at centre with the Raptors and Raptors 905 last season. The six-foot-nine, 218-pound Brazilian forward split last season between Toronto and Raptors 905 in the NBA D-League. The Raptors exercised the fourth-year team options on the rookie scale contracts of Caboclo and Nogueira, meanwhile, and the third-year team option for Wright.Ĭaboclo was selected by the Raptors with the 20th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. "He doesn’t have to take me under his wing like he has, but he’s been great." ![]() "He’s been helping me a lot more than I ever thought he would or has to," VanVleet said. ![]() The six-foot guard credited both Joseph and Lowry for helping show him the ropes, but said Lowry, in particular, had taken the 22-year-old under his wing. "I think I fouled him about 20 times, but I kept coming and that’s all you’ve got to do, never back down," he said. VanVleet said Lowry beat up on him "pretty bad" on the first day of camp. "He does not back down whatsoever from Kyle or Cory, he doesn’t let them relax, there’s no ‘buddy ball’ in scrimmages." You come in every day and put pressure on Kyle and Cory, I want you to try to take their minutes, and make them better, it’s going to make you better, it’s going to make our team better,"’ Casey said. "We told Fred, ‘This is not a license to come in and relax. With guard Wright out after shoulder surgery, if "something unfortunately happened to Cory (Joseph) or Kyle (Lowry), you need that second point guard."Ĭasey also said VanVleet’s "steely toughness" set him apart. "The closer it got to the Washington game, the worse my nerves got," he said.Ĭoach Dwane Casey said VanVleet is insurance at point guard. VanVleet, meanwhile, who led the Wichita State Shockers to four consecutive appearances at the NCAA championship tournament, said it was a nervous final few days as a half a dozen players waited to hear their fate. The big forward was set to have surgery on Monday - he will have a screw inserted into the fifth metatarsal in his left foot, to alleviate symptomatic stress reactions. The Raptors will also be without Jared Sullinger when they open the season. Singler and Yanick Moreira were all placed on waivers on Saturday. Toronto also exercised its team options on Bruno Caboclo, Lucas Nogueira and Delon Wright on Sunday, extending their deals through the 2017-18 season.Ĭanadian Brady Heslip, plus Drew Crawford, Jarrod Uthoff, E.J. "You work your whole life up until this point, and then you realize it’s just the beginning and you’ve got so much more to go." "I’m trying to stay in the moment, and I’m humble for the opportunity," he said Sunday. He never went to sleep afterward, spending the hours communicating with family. He delivered the good news early Friday morning after the team arrived home from its final pre-season game in Washington. The point guard earned the one spot available, as the Raptors solidified their roster for Wednesday’s season opener against the visiting Detroit Pistons.
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