Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 5 Things Learned From Summer League

By Demar Grant

May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri (right) gestures as he speaks with media during pre-game shoot around before the Raptors host Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri (right) gestures as he speaks with media during pre-game shoot around before the Raptors host Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Toronto Raptors
Apr 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Bruno Caboclo (20) and center Lucas Nogueira (92) warm up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Raptors Have a MLB-like Farm System

The Raptors are the best MLB team in the NBA. The organization puts a great amount of effort into developing young talent, even though the squad as it currently exists is in ‘win now’ mode.

The Raptors were capable of rolling out a lineup of Wright/Powell/Coboclo/Siakam/Poeltl during summer league, which consists of players that all have contracts with them. As the NBA roster is designed now, Wright, Caboclo and Siakam may see more time in the d-league, but that’s the system working as intended.

The Raptors 905 is more closely tied to their NBA team than any other d-league team and their NBA affiliate. The 905 play at the Hersey Centre which is only about 30 minutes away from the ACC, making it very easy from the players to move between leagues.

If Wright or Siakam look like they are developing into better pieces than those on the roster, or if players get injured, they’ll get called up to the NBA to play like Powell did during the 2015-16 season. Otherwise they’ll continue to develop in the d-league, until the Raptors think their young talent is good enough to effectively contribute to the team.

Next: Bruno Caboclo

Home/Toronto Raptors