Predicting the Toronto Raptors' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting the Toronto Raptors' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

By Casey Sherman

July 13, 2015

Predicting the Toronto Raptors' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Washington Wizards v Toronto Raptors - Game Two — The Toronto Raptors had a productive offseason, making about as many moves as possible without adjusting the core of the roster. As we stand today, a similar starting group looks to be in the cards, but there are several points of uncertainty.

The Toronto Raptors had a productive offseason, making about as many moves as possible without adjusting the core of the roster. As we stand today, a similar starting group looks to be in the cards, but there are several points of uncertainty.

PG - Kyle Lowry

Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry

PG - Kyle Lowry

Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry — Lowry was the team leader this year and earned a starting spot in the All-Star game. But as some combination of injuries and poor play derailed his season, his trade value is probably as low as it's been in years. Not many teams are looking for a point guard, and contending teams in particular are set at that spot. Hopefully Lowry rests up this offseason and comes into training camp healthy.

Lowry was the team leader this year and earned a starting spot in the All-Star game. But as some combination of injuries and poor play derailed his season, his trade value is probably as low as it's been in years. Not many teams are looking for a point guard, and contending teams in particular are set at that spot. Hopefully Lowry rests up this offseason and comes into training camp healthy.

SG - DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan

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SG - DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan — DeRozan slides to his more natural position at shooting guard with DeMarre Carroll on board at small forward. I, and many others, have suggested that trading DeRozan would be an ideal move for this franchise, but odds are he stays put.

DeRozan slides to his more natural position at shooting guard with DeMarre Carroll on board at small forward. I, and many others, have suggested that trading DeRozan would be an ideal move for this franchise, but odds are he stays put.

SF - DeMarre Carroll

Toronto Raptors DeMarre Carroll

SF - DeMarre Carroll

Toronto Raptors DeMarre Carroll — Carroll was the Raps' big free agency acquisition, and he'll slot right into the starting lineup. The Raptors will be looking for Carroll to instil toughness and defensive grit onto the team as soon as the 2015-16 season tips off.

Carroll was the Raps' big free agency acquisition, and he'll slot right into the starting lineup. The Raptors will be looking for Carroll to instil toughness and defensive grit onto the team as soon as the 2015-16 season tips off.

PF - Kenneth Faried

Kenneth Faried

PF - Kenneth Faried

Kenneth Faried — This position is a total enigma. You might have expected Patrick Patterson here, but head coach Dwane Casey sees him as more of a bench player. Luis Scola was just signed, but he's not starting caliber at his age. Another rumor has Carroll moving up a position, but that would be disastrous. Casey has hinted that a trade could be in the works, so I'm taking a shot in the dark and putting the Manimal here.

This position is a total enigma. You might have expected Patrick Patterson here, but head coach Dwane Casey sees him as more of a bench player. Luis Scola was just signed, but he's not starting caliber at his age. Another rumor has Carroll moving up a position, but that would be disastrous. Casey has hinted that a trade could be in the works, so I'm taking a shot in the dark and putting the Manimal here.

C - Jonas Valanciunas

Toronto Raptors Jonas Valanciunas

C - Jonas Valanciunas

Toronto Raptors Jonas Valanciunas — Valanciunas is still the Raptors' best piece for the future, and GM Masai Ujiri has talked about ways to get him more involved on defense. To this point in his career, he's been benched for most fourth quarters, but perhaps 2015-16 will see that trend reverse itself.

Valanciunas is still the Raptors' best piece for the future, and GM Masai Ujiri has talked about ways to get him more involved on defense. To this point in his career, he's been benched for most fourth quarters, but perhaps 2015-16 will see that trend reverse itself.

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