Raptors Head to Crossroads With Injuries Piling Up

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Due to the steadily increasing number of injuries sustained by Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, the Toronto Raptors may be left with no other option but to tank.

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The Toronto Raptors have resisted the desire to "tank" all season. They have been clear that this is an important time for growth, and since they owe the San Antonio Spurs a protected pick in the first six rounds .

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there hasn't been a good reason to tank. But since Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl are out for good, Toronto might not have a choice.

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Only three of Toronto's last twenty games will be against teams worse than the Raptors. The other two will be against the equally bad Brooklyn Nets.

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In their other 15 games, the Raptors will play teams that are still in the running for a playoff spot. In almost all of those games, they will be big favorites.

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In light of the fact that the Raptors are only two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the sixth-worst record in the NBA and have a 45.8% probability of keeping their top-six protected choice, this is an important consideration.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently five games behind the Portland Trail Blazers, which would be the fifth-worst record in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Anything higher than that is practically out of the question.

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In light of the fact that Memphis has a schedule that is marginally less demanding, it is possible that Toronto will be able to surpass the Grizzlies.

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Memphis plays six matches against the bottom four teams and another against the Atlanta Hawks. A few lucky wins might put the Grizzlies ahead of Toronto.

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If a Raptors team featuring RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Kelly Olynyk, and Gary Trent Jr. finishes lower than a Grizzlies club whose rotation will earn $29 million this season, that would say something about them.

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To give you some idea, Barrett will make $23.9 million this season by himself, and Quickley's next deal could bring in close to $29 million next season.

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If Toronto is that terrible with Quickley and Barrett leading the way, that would reflect on their long-term value to the club.Raptors are fine with uncertainty.

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It might help if they drop below Memphis and their lottery odds go up. Anyway, losing stinks, and in a season all about growth, it can't help but be that bad.

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Raptors Head to Crossroads With Injuries Piling Up

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Due to the steadily increasing number of injuries sustained by Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, the Toronto Raptors may be left with no other option but to tank.

The Toronto Raptors have resisted the desire to "tank" all season. They have been clear that this is an important time for growth, and since they owe the San Antonio Spurs a protected pick in the first six rounds .

there hasn't been a good reason to tank. But since Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl are out for good, Toronto might not have a choice.

Only three of Toronto's last twenty games will be against teams worse than the Raptors. The other two will be against the equally bad Brooklyn Nets.

In their other 15 games, the Raptors will play teams that are still in the running for a playoff spot. In almost all of those games, they will be big favorites.

In light of the fact that the Raptors are only two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the sixth-worst record in the NBA and have a 45.8% probability of keeping their top-six protected choice, this is an important consideration.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently five games behind the Portland Trail Blazers, which would be the fifth-worst record in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Anything higher than that is practically out of the question.

In light of the fact that Memphis has a schedule that is marginally less demanding, it is possible that Toronto will be able to surpass the Grizzlies.

Memphis plays six matches against the bottom four teams and another against the Atlanta Hawks. A few lucky wins might put the Grizzlies ahead of Toronto.

If a Raptors team featuring RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Kelly Olynyk, and Gary Trent Jr. finishes lower than a Grizzlies club whose rotation will earn $29 million this season, that would say something about them.

To give you some idea, Barrett will make $23.9 million this season by himself, and Quickley's next deal could bring in close to $29 million next season.

If Toronto is that terrible with Quickley and Barrett leading the way, that would reflect on their long-term value to the club.Raptors are fine with uncertainty.

It might help if they drop below Memphis and their lottery odds go up. Anyway, losing stinks, and in a season all about growth, it can't help but be that bad.

also see

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