With the 2020 NBA season ready to kick off on December 22nd, the Los Angeles Lakers are the clear frontrunners to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy and repeat NBA champions. The NBA draft, as well as the bulk of free agency, has come and gone, and most teams have their rotations relatively finalized (except for those interested in James Harden). With most off-season transactions have been completed, your fantasy league draft should be right around the corner. Here are the top five Toronto Raptors players to look at for your 2020-2021 fantasy team:
5. OG Anunoby – SF
Anunoby is coming off a season where he averaged 10.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 30 minutes. He also had 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks per contest. The 23-year-old forward is continuing to refine his offensive skillset while playing elite defense. He also has a solid frame and can shoot the three well. OG is expected to have similar production to last season, but he could take a massive leap, as he’s currently ranked seventh in odds to win next year’s Most Improved Player of the Year award. Regardless, he could be worth giving a look in the later rounds of your draft. Expect Anunoby to be selected later than round 15, or to be an available free agent.
4. Aron Baynes – C
As one of the newest Raptors, Baynes has the opportunity to be a strong contributor this season. With Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka leaving Toronto for Los Angeles, the role of starting centre is wide open for the taking. Baynes averaged 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 22.2 minutes last season for the Phoenix Suns. He should see a steady increase in production for the Raptors as he will see closer to 30 minutes of floor time per game. Baynes could be a good pick at center in leagues with upwards of 10 teams, or as a later round pick in a smaller leagues. Expect Baynes to be selected later than round 15, or to be an available free agent.
3. Fred VanVleet – SG, PG
Although VanVleet will have to share the guard duties with Raptors All-Star Kyle Lowry again this season, he is a sure-fire pick in any fantasy league. Fred is coming off a season in which he averaged 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. 2020 was his first season as a starter and his production did not disappoint. Fred will start for the Raptors again this season and his production is expected to remain about the same. Furthermore, he is the only Raptor on this list who can be listed at more than one position. As a defensively tenacious starting guard who can shoot the three ball, he is a great pick for any league, but still not worth picking over his All-Star counterpart. Expect VanVleet to be selected between rounds four and seven.
2. Kyle Lowry – PG
With the departure of Kawhi Leonard prior to the 2020 season, Lowry saw an increase in scoring last year to account for the loss of his superstar teammate. Lowry will turn 35-years-old during the 2021 season and has been a source of consistency for the team throughout the past few seasons. The All-Star guard averaged 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals last season while sharing the backcourt with Fred VanVleet. Nearly identical production should be expected from him this season, and those numbers make him a lock in any league. Expect Lowry to be selected between rounds four and seven.
- Pascal Siakam – PF
Siakam is by far the best Raptor available for your fantasy team. With the departure of Kawhi, Spicy P stepped into the role of lead scorer for the Raptors in 2020. He averaged 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 35.2 minutes per game. Although he didn’t have a strong performance in the NBA Bubble, the All-Star forward is still expected to see a small increase in production from the 2020 regular season. He is an excellent pick in any league and will be a solid producer for your team. Expect Siakam to be selected between rounds two and five.
