Raptors core will grow or get exposed with team set to finally field its best starting lineup

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Published Jan 02, 2025  •  4 minute read

Immanuel Quickley of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a three-point basket against the Brooklyn Nets. Getty Images

The start of a new year ushered in a new experience for a Raptors team that had been reeling.

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One win on New Year’s Day does not in any way hide the fact that the Raptors were humiliated a day earlier in Boston, when the Celtics handed Toronto its most lopsided loss in club history.

When 80 points are yielded in the second half, when a 54-point loss is recorded, when only one player is able to reach double figures in scoring, the red flags are raised.

Thankfully, a game would be played the following day, coinciding with the return of Immanuel Quickley against a Brooklyn Nets team that is nowhere near as good as the reigning champion Celtics.

Toronto’s depth was painfully exposed in Boston, its will questioned in one of the worst performances the NBA has ever seen in the shot-clock era. Surrendering 80 points in 24 minutes speaks for itself.

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The team turned the page and now, barring something out of the blue, the Raptors finally will be able to field their projected starting five for the first time this season when the Orlando Magic come to town Friday night.

The Magic is dealing with its own sets of issues created because of injuries.

An actual two-game win streak is quite possible for a Raptors team that ended their 11-game losing streak against the Nets, a stretch of truly horrific play that culminated by hitting rock bottom in Boston.

With the Raptors poised to be as healthy as they’ve been this season, it remains to be seen how head coach Darko Rajakovic handles his rotation.

The days of having RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes serve as point guards should be over now that Quickley is back.

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Looking back, neither Barrett nor Barnes were suited to operate an offence and the turnover total reflected their inefficiency.

Necessity dictated the move, but it’s now time to move on.

Quickley is the only legitimate and proven point guard whose presence allowed players to fit into their proper roles.

The fact he played 32 minutes in his return and committed only one turnover speaks volumes, as did his plus-23 rating.

Whether this is sustainable will only be determined in the many games to follow.

It was certainly an encouraging step, much-needed on a team in need of a feel-good moment.

“When you have the game taken away from you for a long time, you’re a little bit more grateful,” Quickley said following Toronto’s 130-113 win.

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“You miss it. Not that I took the game for granted before, but it’s just a different feeling than being on the sidelines.”

His presence was obvious, allowing the Raptors to push the ball while also protecting it, as evidenced by the four turnovers in three quarters once the opening period was in the books.

Barnes, for one, didn’t have to handle the ball as often. As a result, he had one of his most efficient and effective games in scoring 33 points by taking 18 shots.

The three turnovers weren’t good, but his presence on the glass was.

That shimmy he felt inclined to unleash right in front of the Nets bench only spoke to Barnes’ immaturity, an area he needs to eliminate.

The perpetually positive Rajakovic, who did blow his top in getting ejected in Memphis when the most points in Raptors history were yielded, often speaks of the team’s resilience in the face of embarrassing setbacks.

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“If you could see the way those guys are studying the film, the way they’re connected, supporting each other, you would be really proud of this group,” he said. “I am proud of this group.”

What else can a second-year head coach say without compromising the locker room?

Quickley’s return and the probable return of Barrett, who has missed the past two games because of an illness, does allow the Raptors to officially begin anew.

Ochai Agbaji, who played well against the Nets, is the first casualty once Barrett returns to the starting lineup. Agbaji’s defence, energy and ability to hit corner threes should play well on the second unit.

Bruce Brown will be available against the Magic after sitting out the back end of a back-to-back against the Nets. Chris Boucher barely saw the floor on New Year’s Day. Of the young pieces, the only player worthy of getting extended minutes is Ja’Kobe Walter.

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At the same time, the Raptors’ rebuild hinges on internal growth and development.

At the core of the Raptors’ future remains Quickley, Barnes, Barrett and Gradey Dick. Toss in Jakob Poeltl and what shakes out is the team’s starting unit.

Perhaps now the Raptors will be able to return to their entertaining style of basketball, even on nights when wins are elusive.

The week that was heading into New Year’s Day was truly pathetic. No one should forget it. Without a bona fide point guard the Raptors were hamstrung.

It’s still uncertain how the core pieces will function, but at least they’ll get that long-awaited opportunity.

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Orlando emerged as one of the NBA’s feel-good stories last season. Injuries have taken a toll this season, but there’s reason for optimism with Paolo Banchero’s return is looming from an oblique setback he sustained on Oct. 30.

Moe Wagner is lost for the season following a knee injury while his brother, Franz Wagner, continues to be sidelined because of an oblique injury.

The same fans who wanted the Raptors to draft Jalen Suggs instead of Barnes will get to see the Gonzaga product.

Suggs left Sunday’s home tip versus Brooklyn because of a wrist injury, but he came back on New Year’s Day to score a game-high 24 points in Orlando’s 105-96 loss to the host Detroit Pistons.

Friday’s game also marks the return of Canadian Cory Joseph.

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