LATEST: Three narratives that will surface during the Toronto Raptors’ remaining games

The NBA’s 30 teams still have 36 days left in the regular season. Some players view those six weeks as an exhausting battle to top the standings in order to gain homecourt advantage or stay out of the Play-In Tournament. Nevertheless, the Toronto Raptors are virtually unbeatable in the postseason.

But that doesn’t mean the remaining episodes of the season are meaningless. Though their battle is now for lottery positioning, the Raptors are still vying for position. They spend their time assessing their personnel for the future rather than fiddling with lineups to see how they do in the playoffs.

What narratives will emerge for the Raptors in the remaining games of the season? Let’s examine three that are yet unwritten but will have a big impact on Toronto’s future.

Third Storyline: Will they stick with their choice?
In terms of the Raptors’ victories and defeats over the next two months, this is probably the most significant plot point. At the trade deadline of the previous year, they acquired Jakob Poeltl by trading a first-round protected pick in the top six of the 2024 NBA Draft. It’s interesting to note that keeping that choice is now an option because Poeltl has joined Scottie Barnes on the injury list.

Toronto currently has the seventh-worst record in the league, ranking seventh in the “reverse” rankings. They would presumably forfeit the seventh or eighth pick in the draft, but they would have a 31.9 percent chance to move up into the Top-4 at the Draft Lottery and maintain their pick. They are “behind” the Memphis Grizzlies by one win, meaning they have won one more game than them. If they fall short of Memphis by more than a game, they can improve their chances by placing sixth in the lottery rankings. Sixth place is probably as low as the Portland Trail Blazers can go because they have six less victories.

The Raptors could use another Top-10 pick to bolster their squad, but this is not thought to be a very good draft. It hurts to just miss a protected pick at a given line and forfeit the most valuable kind of pick you may have. It will be interesting to follow the unfolding of the standings and the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12th.

Storyline #2: Can Immanuel Quickley play at his highest level?
Even though they aren’t in the running for the playoffs anymore, the Toronto Raptors still need to get ready for the summer. Although Kelly Olynyk consented to an extension in order to avoid free agency, another player who was acquired through a trade this season will require a new contract as free agency approaches.

Immanuel Quickley was hardly acquired by the Raptors without the intention of re-signing him. However, now that Quickley is entering restricted free agency after his rookie contract expires, the Raptors have the power to bargain for a reasonable contract rather than overpaying the 6’3″ guard in order to keep him from signing elsewhere.

What is Quickley’s fair share? Over the next six weeks, some of that will be decided, particularly because Quickley will be taking the major creative position in lieu of Scottie Barnes, who is expected to be out for most of it. How does he take charge and guide this group? Does he deserve the best possible contract, or something less?

It’s not unthinkable that Quickley might get the entire maximum amount, starting at about $35 million in the first year, if he lights up the remaining 20 games. But Quickley hasn’t exactly performed at that level yet, so a real breakthrough towards the end would be necessary. If not, a new contract might begin at a lesser figure—perhaps $30 million on average every season, like Tyler Herro’s agreement does.

First Storyline: How excellent is Gradey Dick?
Many analysts, including me, had Kansas winger Gradey Dick ranked in the top 10 of their draft rankings going into the 2024 NBA Draft. He was the kind of player that any club would love to have because of his stature and shooting ability. He was also the ideal addition for a team that was trying to create an NBA offense around players who were afraid to shoot, like Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam.

However, after the regular season got off and the 6’6″ rookie struggled greatly, the excitement that had been generated by the Raptors selecting Gradey Dick with the 13th pick subsided. He was not making shots, he was frequently burned defensively, and his role in the rotation was erratic.

That has, however, changed recently. Gradey Dick is averaging 11.4 points per game in his previous 14 games, which is double his season average. He is averaging 22.7 minutes of play and 2.4 3-pointers on 46.5 percent shooting from outside the arc per game. He appears to be lot more at ease with the NBA game’s fast tempo.

The Raptors selected a great player in Gradey Dick, a shooting wing with defensive durability, if he is a long-term starter. But in the next six weeks, he gets an opportunity to grow and demonstrate a more sophisticated style of play. Is there anything he can create off the dribble? How does his ability to rebound increase his impact? Is there any greater reward than becoming the next Danny Green?

The Raptors certainly hope so, and with players injured and the stakes lowered now is the time for him to give it a try. Then he’ll have an offseason to go back to work and prepare for next season. He’s only a rookie, but as the Raptors continue to evaluate and add to their core, how he plays down the stretch — how everyone does — will be a loud voice advocating for his future.