The Raptors are coming off their best season in franchise history. With a record 56 wins in the regular season and an Eastern Conference final appearance, expectations have never been higher in Toronto.
The Raptors open their season Wednesday in Toronto against the Detroit Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET).
The off-season saw the Raptors re-sign star guard DeMar DeRozan and add Jared Sullinger, who was expected to replace Luis Scola as the starting power forward until Sullinger suffered a foot injury that required surgery. He could miss up to the first quarter of the season.
The Raptors' ability to replicate their success from last year may depend on how quickly Sullinger can return — and contribute — and how well they fill the hole at backup centre left by the departure of fan favourite Bismack Biyombo.
Here's what the Raptors may do to counteract the loss of the energetic big man, and what to expect from Sullinger once he returns.
Men in the Middle
Biyombo's presence will be missed in more ways than one. He was an energizer off the bench and had his teammates' back if beat off the bounce.
The former seventh-overall pick provided the Raptors with some insurance for starting centre Jonas Valanciunas. Biyombo flourished as a starter, averaging 7.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and two blocks per game in 22 starts.
At season's end, the Raptors were almost certain that the Congo native's play had priced him out of Toronto (indeed, he would sign a four-year, $72-million US deal with Orlando) and they prepared for life after Biyombo by drafting Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam with their first-round picks in the draft.
The two rookies will now also need to play a role in filling the void left by Sullinger's injury.
Poeltl was the Pac-12 Conference player of the year last season, averaging 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in his last year of collegiate play for the University of Utah.
The seven-foot centre has already shown a knack for doing the dirty work on the boards and finishing under the basket.
Siakam will remind some of Biyombo. An undersized forward at six-foot-nine, the Cameroonian makes up for it with his high energy and 7-foot-3 wingspan.
Playing for New Mexico State in the less heralded Western Athletic Conference, Siakam averaged 20.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
Both rookies may be called upon by head coach Dwayne Casey to fill the backup centre role, as could Lucas Nogueira.
The Brazilian has played sparingly since being drafted 16th overall three years ago. Last season, he suited up in 10 games for Raptors 905, the club's D-League affiliate. It was there that he showed glimpses of the player that made him a first-round pick. In their home opener, Nogueira nearly notched a triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four blocks.
Nogueira put his 7-foot-6 wingspan on display in the pre-season, showing the type of ability to protect the rim and use his length that became Biyombo's niche. These qualities appeal to a defensive coach like Casey, but Nogueira heads into the season nursing an ankle injury.
Sullinger searches for shooting touch
The Raptors' "big" free-agent addition was Sullinger, who got a one-year deal worth around $6 million US. Last season, the Ohio State product started 73 games for the Boston Celtics at the power forward slot, a role he's expected to fill with the Raptors this season once he's recovered from his foot injury.
Over four NBA seasons, Sullinger has averaged 11.1 points per game and 7.7 rebounds. Offensively, he's an upgrade over Scola, who averaged 8.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 76 starts last season.
What Sullinger lacks is the outside shooting that's becoming the norm in so-called "stretch fours" in today's NBA. The Columbus, Ohio native has never shot higher than 28.3 per cent from beyond the arc. In contrast, Scola shot a career-high 40.4 per cent from long distance last season.
Sullinger is working on integrating the three-point shot into his arsenal, but if he's unable to become an honest outside threat, the Raptors will struggle to have proper spacing on the floor.
Raptors' frontcourt depth could sway season
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