The Toronto Raptors had a relatively quiet summer with no major moves but made several smaller adjustments. They drafted four players, with three securing guaranteed spots on the roster. They acquired Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov in a trade, though they later bought out Vezenkov. Additionally, they signed Bruno Fernando to bolster their center position.
However, they chose not to trade Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, or Jakob Poeltl, though it seems Brown might still be a candidate for trade. Currently, he appears set to start the season with the team.
These moves—and the lack thereof—could significantly impact the roles of returning players. Some players may now face uncertainty about their future with the team.
Let’s examine three players whose roles might be at risk:
No. 3: Garrett Temple
Last season, Garrett Temple was a reliable fifth guard for the Raptors. He brought veteran experience, ball-handling skills, and shooting ability to the team. Despite the team’s roster changes, his role remained relatively stable.
This season, however, Temple may shift to more of a mentorship role rather than being an active player. With the addition of backup point guards Davion Mitchell and Jamal Shead, and a crowded shooting guard position, Temple’s playing time may be limited. He could end up seeing mostly garbage time minutes, a stark contrast to his previous season where he played 27 games and logged 289 minutes, including two starts.