Raptors Media Day: Carroll Not 100 Percent, Sullinger to Start

The Toronto Raptors Media Day provided clarity on who will start at power forward, as well as an update on the health of DeMarre Carroll, and much more.

The Toronto Raptors 2016-17 season kicked off on Monday with Media Day. While there is tons of Raptors related news to discuss, Media Day provided us with a glimpse into a few things we can expect to see going forward.

Here’s what you need to know from day one of the Raptors new season.

Carroll Not 100 Percent:

The Raptors will once again have to be patient with DeMarre Carroll this season, as he is not yet 100 percent.

According to head coach Dwane Casey, Carroll will have his minutes monitored this season and his knee is not 100 percent healed.

Carroll said taking the summer off helped his body heal and that there is no longer any swelling in his knee. He just needs to strengthen it and he is confident he will eventually be 100 percent.

The news of Carroll not being 100 percent isn’t much of a surprise. During the offseason at his camp in Mississauga, the 30-year-old admitted that he was still working his way back from an assortment of nagging injuries, including his knee, and that it would take time for him to reach full strength. However, like he mentioned at his camp, and reiterated again on Monday, he does believe he will be 100 percent for the regular season.

Fun side note with Carroll as well. According to Blake Murphy of Raptors Republic, Carroll could launch a fashion line at some point during this season. This report did not sit well with some fans, as Murphy’s Twitter mentions featured a number of “he should get his knee right first” comments, which was comical to say the least.

Considering Carroll’s vibrant wardrobe, I’m intrigued to see what his clothing line would look like. I know that won’t sit well with some fans, so feel free to insert any “take care of that knee,” negative comments you have below in the comments section.

Masai Ujiri Comments on the East:

General manager Masai Ujiri was candid, as usual, when he addressed the media on Monday. He joked around about the new “super team” in the Atlantic division, which is of course the revamped New York Knicks, and he also said the Eastern Conference has improved.

Anybody who has listened to our podcasts knows how I feel about the Knicks, so I won’t burn a few sentences throwing shade their way, but, I will use one to remind their fan base that Vegas has your season win total set at 38.5 wins. That doesn’t exactly resemble a “super team,” but, hey, what do I know.

Back to Ujiri, he also mentioned how the Raptors go when Lowry and DeRozan go. “There’s no two ways about it. The way Kyle goes, we go. The way DeMar goes, we go.” He also said the team’s younger players will have to step up this season and that the Raptors will have to grow from within.

Considering the Raptors inability to lure big name free agents to Toronto, Ujiri’s comments shouldn’t surprise anyone. This does, however, place a greater emphasis on the development of younger players like Jakob Poeltl and Lucas Nogueira, as they will be key to the Raptors’ immediate, and long-term, success.

Power Forward Job is Sullinger’s to Lose:

Casey provided clarity as to who will start at power forward this season, saying that the job is Jared Sullinger‘s “to lose.” He did also say that the decision is not final because he has to see how Sullinger meshes defensively with Jonas Valanciunas, but in all likelihood Sullinger will be the starter.

Patrick Patterson is still expected to have a major role with the team and will play starter minutes. Patterson said he does not have a preference when it comes to starting or coming off the bench, he just wants to have a big role again.

Siakam Could Surprise:

Pascal Siakam was considered to be a bit of a “reach” when the Raptors drafted him at No. 27 overall during the 2016 NBA Draft, but, despite what pundits had to say, the Raptors have high hopes for the 22-year-old Cameroon native.

Casey told reporters on Monday that “Siakam might come up and just blow everybody out of the water.” According to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, the team expects him to be a starter by next season.

Lowry Not Discussing Contract:

To the surprise of no one, Kyle Lowry said he is not going to answer any questions about his upcoming free agency this season.

Again, I don’t think this is a surprise to anyone, but it’s still worth mentioning. Lowry also touched on using his voice for peaceful athlete protests, saying “we have to use our voices.”

DeRozan Ready for New Season:

DeMar DeRozan was in a relaxed, joking mood on Monday, telling reporters that he is happy there will be no more photoshops of him in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey, and that he looks forward to teasing Lowry about all the “contract year” questions and reports he’s going to face this season.

Coach Casey also touched on DeRozan’s SI.com ranking, which was 46th, saying he was not a fan of the ranking.

Next: Raptors Podcast: Olynyk Rumours: 15th Man, Win Totals

What are your thoughts on the Raptors this season? What are you looking forward to most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.