The Raptors’ Season is over earlier than it has been for the last 7 years. That pretty much is expected. They started the season behind the eight-ball, forced to move to Tampa, resulting in a shortened training camp and pre-season which, somehow extended itself into the first 10 games of the season, and a 2-8 start. When the finally settled in, the COVID-19 outbreak happened.

The fact that Arron Baynes might not have been the sought after answer to the five (centre) spot left vacant by Serge Ibaka dawned slow by the time it did, it was too late. It was only after experiments with Chris Boucher starting in that spot, a small lineup that they finally signed Khem Birch, and Baynes seemed happier as a backup. There might have been an element of high expectations to replace Ibaka, and Gasol, plus the challenge of the Nick Nurse defenses, the Baynes signing didn’t work the way it was supposed to.

The trade with Norm Powell however, worked like a charm. It was a case of “if you love him, let him go” kind of idea. Powell had matured, and I think had developed as far as he could with the Raptors. Getting Gary Trent Jr. will probably work out to be one of the genius moves of the season.

No matter what happened this season, there was always a sense they could win no matter how bad it got. They competed every game, sometimes for every basket- the game against the Lakers felt like every basket was its own war. It made it exciting this team, even as the playoffs faded.

The young guys were exciting. Malachi Flynn made Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster look like geniuses for picking him 29. Jalen Harris showed the beginnings of a good shooting guard. The Raptors’ future back court looks bright. Up front Freddie “Lobster Claw” Gillespie (aka Gillie), has a nose for rebounds, and will fit in well up front. The pieces are there for a contender sooner than we think.

There is a great core “three” to this team as well who continue to develop. Pascal Siakam took the next step in his development as a playmaker as he made it a habit of passing the ball after being double-teamed. OG Anunoby at 2 (shooting guard), three, and four (both forward positions) and amazing on defense? Sounds potentially unstoppable. And then we Fred VanVleet (aka Steady Freddy)’s development as a leader as well, and a guy that can run an offense. This team is in good hands with these three.

The season sucked, but the future is bright.

Off Season Thoughts…

Masai Ujiri: It looks like he will re-sign with the team. Regardless, probably the bigger name free-agent in Raptorland this season. This should be a case of “How long, and how much”, instead of if he will or not.

All things flow from Kyle Lowry: There are two ways the Kyle Lowry saga ends with the Raptors. The first, and preferable is that he stays. One last big contract with a team, and city that loves him. If he is to leave, it would be through sign and trade. Raptors management knows what kind of an asset he is and will not let him just leave for nothing via free agency. However, Miami, and Philly may be off the table. Both are in the playoffs, and I think the 76ers could win it all.

Gasol returns?? It’s a possibility. The Lakers seem to have forsaken him in favour of Andre Drummond, a player that Masai Ujiri doesn’t think too highly of. I could see Gasol asking for a buyout this off-season.

Gary Trent Jr./ Khem Birch: Both are high on the Raptors’ development system. I’d look for them to re-sign with the team. For Birch this sounds like the basketball equivalent of playing hockey for the Canadiens.

Fade for Cade?? Nope. Guards are one position the Raptors have enough of. Although a 6 foot 8 ball handler is tempting. Lowry leaves? Slide Trent Jr in at shooting guard, and use Rodney Hood off the bench. Or Jalen Harris and Malachi Flynn. This is pretty much an academic argument, because the Raptors have almost no chance at the top draft pick.

Lots to look forward to next season.