Toronto Raptors mailbag: Breakouts, additions on way, Barnes back?

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The NBA is back, and so is our Toronto Raptors regular season mailbag. This year's team is somewhat unexpected destroyed the Atlanta Hawks in Georgia (over new Georgia Raptor Sandro Mamukelashvili) on Wednesday and take on Giannis Antetokounmpo, old friend Gary Trent Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks in the home opener on Friday.

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This mailbox's questions focused mostly on young reserves and a little on franchise player Scottie Barnes. Let's get to it:

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AND: Over/under 40 wins, assuming everyone is relatively healthy?

RW: I'm leaving, and not just because of the franchise record for points in a first game. The East stinks and I'm going to be optimistic that the starters will play 70 games each. If so, they could win up to 47 games, although I'm leaning towards 43-39. However, with some injuries, they could reach the 37-win mark.

Milt: Who is the third (point guard) on this team, assuming (Immanuel Quickley) and (Jamal) Sheed are the main two?

RW: They don't actually have one. Chuckie Hepburn has looked solid in the preseason after playing great defense but underwhelming offense at the Las Vegas Summer League, but he's not sure head coach Darko Rajakovic wants to throw him out there right now. Considering Scotty Barnes, Brandon Ingram and R.J. With Barrett's ability to create for others and the playmaking ability from both center options, there isn't much need for a traditional third point guard.

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Ed Helenski @MrEd315: What roster holes or weaknesses still exist on the Raptors?

RW: Listed point guard depth for one, but mostly lacks size. Was a little surprised to see Mamukelashvili listed at only 6'9″, which means that on the entire list, only Jakob Poeltl is 6'10″ or taller. I'm not sure I've seen this before in the NBA. We're not saying you need an old-school six-foul monster like you did back in the day, but having a young 7-footer to develop remains the missing piece for the Raptors, as it has been for a long time.

Guavo Centauri @guavocentauri.bsky.social: Did the Raptors try to re-sign Christian Koloko after the NBA cleared him to play, or was it a case of “Later, sk8er”?

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RW: Regarding the previous answer, Koloko was once that young big man who needed to be developed (and Ulrich Chomche followed him, although he was a much bigger project than his fellow Cameroonian). I was never given any indication from anyone in the organization that they were trying to bring Koloko back after his medical saga. Although it is possible that they did this, and Koloko simply felt more comfortable in California, where he came and played high school basketball.

FIGHTING SCOTTIE

G Man @GMan83482126: “Is Scotty going the way of Charles Barkley in Space Jam?

RW: This was sent when Barnes had one of his worst performances late in the pre-season. We never thought the Monstars took away his basketball ability, it's just that Barnes needed to be smarter with his shot selection and perhaps up his effort level for actual games. That was proven true as Barnes dominated to finish the exhibition schedule and then play an A+ game against Atlanta.

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Andrew Woodcock @AndrewWoodcock1: From the group of sophomores who have a better chance of passing big jump this year?
RW: As an avowed supporter of Ja'Kobe Walter, I will stand by this choice. He is a smart, aggressive defender who should fit perfectly into the system Rajakovic wants to play. Offensively he has good shooting mechanics so I think his accuracy will improve and Walter can also handle and create a bit and should only improve. Grady Dick is currently in his third year, so he cannot qualify. Sheed will have plenty of time, but while I think his classmates Jonathan Mogbo and Jamison Battle bring some NBA skills to the table and are part of the rosters, I'm not sure either of them will get roles this year.

Pierrot @Oliaros2: There are a significant number of seemingly quality unsigned veterinarians out there. Should the Raptors take a cheap chance on one of them or stick with the young blood?”

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RW: They simply didn't have the salary cap flexibility to add a veteran. In fact, at least for now, they are short on a player (as a lot of teams are, which is an unexpected consequence of the new collective bargaining agreement and the harsh luxury tax). This role is played by Garrett Temple. Although I might see more veterans next season.

BOBBY WEBSTER – NEW BOSS

‪Guavo Centauri @guavocentauri.bsky.social: With the Raptors' front office down to one talent evaluator, is Bobby looking to add another person to his staff?

RW: I think they just ran out of time on that front. Webster said he was open to an addition, but he got the job fairly late and was more interested in evaluating everything internally, where they could improve, etc. If the Raptors have a good season and Webster solidifies his status as head of basketball operations, then I think an addition to the front office becomes likely.

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‪Ghorton1111 @ghorton1111.bsky.social: Is there any correlation between what everyone is saying about how good and physical the CMB guard is and Barnes' preseason aversion to the bar and love of jumping? For example, by fighting/fighting for office in practice against CMB, does he think he can no longer bully regular defenders as well?

RW: Again, this has been posted before Barnes returned to hooliganism and began beating opponents such as the Hulk and the Thing. I think Barnes, while a little tired from the Murray-Boyles fight, was more likely just getting closer to the season. Pre-season means nothing and he is primed for a big season after two injury-plagued seasons. There's no point in spending too much on these games. Over the past week, Barnes has re-established himself as a player who can still get through defenders. He shot 5-for-7 on contest attempts, had four dunks, and really looked to take advantage in matchups against similarly sized or smaller opponents.

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‪Nathan Sizemore @nathansizemore.bsky.social: What is the over/under in games where the bench erases a deficit and gives the starting lineup a win this year?

RW: I'll go with 12. I really like the reserve players, but with one caveat: I don't think we see a true five-man bench that often. Rajakovic will allow Barnes, Quickley, Barrett and Ingram to play with three or four backups.

Phil G: I like the current squad, but as usual in recent years, we lack center depth. If Jak gets injured and misses about eight weeks, how do you think the Raptors will stay afloat? He is very important to their success.

RW: Fans won't like this answer, but if one of Poeltl, Quickley or Barnes misses two months, they'll go back to the lottery. I could even go so far as to say that losing Poeltl of any single player would be the most devastating in the long run. No Quickley would be a problem given the lack of a point guard and because he's arguably the best shooter on the team, but they might be able to tread water without him. Barnes is obviously the better all-around player, but perhaps Collin Murray-Boyles and Mogbo could plug a lot of the defensive holes that would be left by Barnes' absence, at least enough for them to survive. However, lose Poeltl and it becomes very risky. Who defends and rebounds against NBA centers. Barnes and Mamukelashvili can do this for a few minutes, but not all the time. Mogbo is too skinny, Murray-Boyles is too inexperienced (at least for now, plus he has a height disadvantage against centres).

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