Toronto Raptors: 4 bold predictions for 2022-23 NBA season
The Toronto Raptors are going to play in the 2022-23 NBA season. Pascal Siakam earned Third Team All-NBA honors last season and Scottie Barnes is the reigning Rookie of the Year.
Toronto Raptors are an oddball team with many big wings and no true traditional center. The team had a relatively quiet summer, with no first-round pick and only one big signing Otto Porter Jr. They lack a superstar. Here are four bold predictions for the Toronto Raptors in the 2022-23 NBA season.
After Kyle Lowry left for the Miami Heat, the Raptors handed over the backcourt to Fred VanVleet. He recorded career highs in points (20.3), rebounds (4.4), assists (6.7), and three-pointers (3. 7) per game. Vanvleets played just 38 minutes per match last season.
Siakam received Third Team All-NBA honors for the second time in his career. He played most of his minutes at the five position for Toronto Raptors last season. His switch to center could have an impact on his All NBA status this season, as he could be pitted against other forwards like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo and Karl-Anthony Towns for one of three AllNBA spots.
Scottie Barnes is a talented forward. He will eventually be the star forward Toronto needs to compete with the league's greatest teams. The 21-year-old has the skill set, upside and charisma to develop into the type of superstar who can lead the Raptors back to title contention.
Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3. 5 assists per game last season. He had many strong individual performances, including in a 36-point win over the Brooklyn Nets. Barnes was not included in the Toronto Raptors' trade talks with the Nets for Kevin Durant.
The Toronto Raptors are good but not elite. Their future is dependent on the growth of Barnes, health of VanVleet and leadership of Siakam. They are slotted behind the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia Sixers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and perhaps the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
