"Going into the playoffs short-handed is never a great situation, but it becomes even worse when it results in a loss because of one simple question: What if? For the Raptors, that question is "What if Immanuel Quickley had been healthy?" Quickley's passing, speed, offensive creation, and 3-point shooting were a big part of the Raptors' offense, so it's only fair to wonder how much better they could have been in the playoffs if he hadn't missed all seven games with a hamstring injury."
"Those questions will continue to haunt the Raptors in the offseason. The playoffs were meant to help the Raptors evaluate their core. They learned that Scottie Barnes could take his offense to another level when his team needed it the most and that Collin Murray-Boyles was ready for the big stage. They also learned that parting ways with RJ Barrett would be a painful experience for the Toronto community after his game-winning shot to keep the Raptors' season alive in Game 6. The playoffs also revealed that Brandon Ingram may not be the best fit with this team."
"One thing the Raptors didn't learn was how impactful Immanuel Quickley could be for them at the next level. They didn't get to see how his defense would hold up or how much of a difference his floor spacing and playmaking would have really made. And that makes it more difficult to evaluate potential offseason trades that would include him."
"The Raptors can go in one of two directions this summer: Make incremental changes around the core and see what they can do with some additional 3-point shooting around them, or go all-in on a big star and push the team toward contention immediately. There are solid arguments for either choice, but it will"
The Raptors entered the playoffs short-handed and suffered a loss, raising the question of how much better they could have been with Immanuel Quickley healthy. Quickley’s passing, speed, offensive creation, and three-point shooting were key parts of Toronto’s offense, and missing all seven playoff games limited what could be learned about his defense, floor spacing, and playmaking at the next level. The playoffs still provided information about Scottie Barnes elevating his offense when it mattered and Collin Murray-Boyles being ready for big moments. The Raptors also saw that parting ways with RJ Barrett would be painful after his game-winning shot in Game 6, and that Brandon Ingram may not fit well. Without Quickley, evaluating offseason trade options involving him became harder. Toronto now faces a summer choice between incremental roster changes for more three-point shooting or pursuing a major star to contend quickly.
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