The Toronto Raptors only have 16 regular season games remaining. This means that your fantasy basketball team is in the home stretch. There are only a couple regular season matchups left before the fantasy basketball playoffs. Whether you are the best general manager to ever lead a fantasy basketball team to victory, or just really mad at your friends for convincing you to be the GM of the final team in their powerhouse league, here are the top five Raptors available for your fantasy basketball team:
Honorable Mention. Gary Trent Jr. – SG, SF
Trent Jr. was acquired in a trade for fellow shooting guard Norman Powell on trade deadline day. With the plethora of injuries the Raptors have had since the all-star break, Trent was able to start right away for the Raptors and has looked good so far in his stint with the team. Although he is currently out himself as he nurses a sore right ankle, he is still worth a look. His offensive production will be up, and down as other Raptors starters work their way in and out of the lineup, as well as he tries to find his groove with his new team. Trent will continue to see consistent minutes on the squad from the North and can have a big scoring performance on any given night. If you have a rostered player who is going to miss a game or two, Trent could be the perfect player to fill the gap.
5. OG Anunoby – SF, PF
Anunoby has missed multiple games in recent weeks due to injury and rest. When he is ready to go, his starting spot is a guarantee. His scoring and offensive production can vary, but he is a consistent rebounder and normally good for a steal or two. In smaller leagues, he is likely a free agent and similar to Trent, good to help cover for a night or two. In larger leagues, he might be worth having as a full-time rostered player. While it is unlikely he will have any standout nights, his consistent production makes it well worth giving him the nod.
4. Chris Boucher – PF, C
Boucher is in his first season where he has had the opportunity to play meaningful minutes with the Raptors. While he will see the court in every game, it could be in the starting lineup or from the bench depending on who is available for the team. He is averaging nearly 14 points per game, while adding 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. The stretch five is also shooting 38.1% from behind the arc this year. His offensive production varies greatly as he slots into different spots in the rotation, as well as develops as a player. With blocks and 3-point shooting being highly valuable in many standard league formats, he is a great player to keep rostered as a hot shooting night from beyond the arc could allow him to produce similar numbers as an all-star caliber player. In smaller leagues, he could be an available free agent, though with injuries to Gordon Hayward and Jamal Murray, as well as Zach LaVine going into the league’s COVID-19 protocol, his availability is declining.
3. Kyle Lowry – PG
While I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to continue to write about Kyle Lowry as a member of the Raptors, here we are! Lowry was expected to be moved at the deadline, but ultimately nothing came of it. The six-foot guard out of Villanova has continued to have strong production on both ends of the floor, even at age 35. Lowry is averaging 17.1 points per game on 39.1% shooting from three. He is also adding 5.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Lowry will definitely be rostered in any league as his production even on an off night is acceptable. He is in the running any night for a triple-double, with a steal or two added in. If the injury to Jamal Murray has hurt your depth at the guard position, a trade for Kyle Lowry is definitely a safe bet.
2. Pascal Siakam – PF, C
Pascal has had a bumpy season, which seems as though it began in the NBA bubble during the summer of 2020. He has struggled to find consistency offensively as the lead scoring option for Toronto, though he is putting up career high numbers in assists. Siakam is averaging 20.8 points per game this season, though his field goal percentage is only 45%. His 3-point percentage is even less efficient at a dismal 28.2%. Despite his inefficiency offensively, Siakam will continue to be the lead scoring option for the Raptors, and that will allow him to maintain his fantasy value. However, I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to acquire him.
1. Fred VanVleet – PG, SG
VanVleet continues to be the best available Raptor for fantasy basketball. The 27-year-old guard has lived up to the hype from his contract extension this past off-season. He is averaging nearly 20 points per game, while adding 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists. The Wichita State guard is also averaging 1.7 steals per game, which is a huge addition to his fantasy production. His 54-point performance was one of the most outstanding fantasy basketball nights for any player this season, and as a top three scoring option for the Raptors, there is nothing holding him back from doing it again. Similar to with Kyle Lowry, if the injury to Jamal Murray has left you one guard short, it is definitely worth seeing what the asking price is on VanVleet.
