Toronto Raptors Complete 2016-17 Preview

The story of the 2015-16 Toronto Raptors ended not with a funeral but rather a celebration of life.

As their first-ever Eastern Conference Finals berth wilted during their fourth double-digit loss of the series, chants of “Let’s go Raptors!” rained down from the Air Canada Centre faithful. It was a fitting send-off for a team that produced the franchise’s high marks in wins (56) and playoff success (eight victories) while sending two players to the All-Star Game for only the second time.

“It’s a tremendous learning experience. … Every situation was new for us,” Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said, per Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.

With their initial exposure to the bright lights behind them, the Raptors enter 2016-17 eager to capitalize on mounting momentum. They may not have always resembled NBA elite, but only three clubs won more games, and just five had higher net efficiency ratings last season.

Has Toronto found a sustainable winning formula, or will this group go down as a one-hit wonder?

Biggest Offseason Move

The Raptors had a quiet offseason—or as quiet as one can have while handing out a five-year, $139 million pact.

That’s because the recipient of that megadeal, DeMar DeRozan, never seemed like much of a flight risk. He played his first seven seasons north of the border and told anyone who would listen that he had no plans to relocate. 

Despite being a two-time All-Star, the 27-year-old casts a polarizing shadow. He doesn’t space the floor or create much for others, and his defensive effort comes and goes. But as Sportsnet’s Michael Grange noted, DeRozan’s ledger has more positives than negatives:

He was one of only eight players in the NBA to average at least 23 points, four rebounds and four assists last season, a list that started with Stephen Curry and LeBron James and ended with Damian Lillard.

He’s shown the determination to improve nearly every season and given that he shot a career-best 34 percent from three on the year and an encouraging 40 percent from deep in a three-month stretch beginning in January, there is reason to believe he’s got more room to grow offensively. There is certainly upside defensively, too.

Once the DeRozan signing was finished, Toronto spent the summer reshuffling its frontcourt.

The loss of energetic reserve big Bismack Biyombo stings, especially if No. 9 pick Jakob Poeltl transitions slowly. But the Raptors appear to have snagged one of the offseason’s few bargains by getting Jared Sullinger for only $5.6 million, and their second first-round pick, Pascal Siakam, brings athleticism and a high motor. 

Rotation Breakdown

The backcourt is already calibrated correctly: DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, Toronto’s two returning All-Stars, paced last season’s outfit in minutes, shots, points, assists and win shares. Reserve guards Cory Joseph and Norman Powell combine to bring feisty defense, perimeter sniping and shot creation. Sophomore Delon Wright remains unproven, but he looks like he wouldn’t lose his footing in an emergency situation.

DeMarre Carroll, Toronto’s top 2015 signing, limped through last season with plantar fasciitis and the aftermath of knee surgery. But he’s a two-way combo forward when at full strength and a no-brainer starter. Jonas …

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