Raptors Notes: Lineup, Mogbo, Barnes, Commerce Candidates

the Raptors They fielded the smallest beginning lineup in franchise historical past for Thursday’s recreation in opposition to Brooklyn, based on Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.cawhich notes that the typical lifespan I’m Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mugbo, Broken black, Grady DickAnd the returning star Scotty Barnes He was 22 years and 187 days outdated. Agbaji, 24, described it as “loopy” as a result of he was the oldest starter within the squad.

Lacking dependable regulars like Jacob Poeltl, R. J. Barrettand Immanuel Quickleythe Raptors misplaced a winnable recreation to the Nets by a rating of 101-94, however there have been some attention-grabbing factors, together with the usage of Mogbo as a convertible small-ball five-pointer, Murphy wrote.

Toronto has been higher defensively with Mogbo on the court docket this season, and the rookie has supplied some causes for optimism along with his play on the offensive finish of the ground as effectively, based on Murphy, though he’s nonetheless within the early phases of his NBA growth.

“There’s undoubtedly quite a bit for him. He is studying quite a bit each time.” Head coach Darko Rajakovic He mentioned about Mogbo earlier than the loss. “Whenever you study the completely different positions he is performed just lately, the completely different face-offs, sooner or later it is about slowing down a bit of bit in your aggressiveness. “However we’re engaged on that, we wish him to be aggressive, we wish him to be aggressive, and when he does that, he is the participant we like.”

Here is extra in regards to the Raptors:

• The Raptors have not had a whole lot of good luck up to now this season, however the workforce has caught a break with Barnes’ fast return from an ankle damage, as TSN.ca’s Josh Lowenberg factors out (Twitter link). He was an All-Star ahead Originally expected He missed “a number of weeks” because of the sprain, however he ended up lacking solely two matches and returning to the sector 10 days after struggling the damage. He had 16 factors and 6 assists in 36 minutes Thursday in his first recreation.
• Eric Koren of The Athletic It breaks down the Raptors’ roster into “commerce tiers,” evaluating which gamers are most and least more likely to transfer at this season’s deadline. Corinne charges the veteran swingman Bruce Brownwho’s on an expiring $23 million contract, is taken into account the almost certainly participant to be traded to Toronto, and is recommended Chris Boucher, Bruno Fernando, Davion Mitchell, Kelly Olynykand Garrett Temple They’re different high candidates to be transferred.
• In the identical story, Coren says that he sees Barnes as basically untouchable, together with Barrett, Kweli, Dick, Agbaje, Mogbo, Walter, and Jamal Shed It’s also unlikely to be handled. That leaves Poeltl, who in all probability will not be an outcast but additionally seemingly will not go anyplace until Toronto will get a really robust provide, Koren says.
• In case you missed it, the Raptors stay in Sportico’s high 10 Latest NBA Franchise RatingsWith a worth of $4.66 billion.