Many of us are upset Masai didn't do more at the deadline. However, let's look at the two positives:

• serviceable center
• bench depth

Serviceable Center

Since 2019 championship with Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, the raptors have had the following centers:

• Aaron Baynes
• Khem Birch
• Christian Koloko
• Precious Achiuwa

While all the above except Achiuwa being not even close to starter quality, we have suffered on defense more than anything else. Bringing an above average shot blocker and pretty good defender, would change the way we play defense. William Lou was saying on his podcast that Raptors now don't have to send two defenders as much because there is a paint anchor.

Bench Depth

Now I am expecting the roster lineups to be this going forward:

PG | SG | SF | PF | C

Starters: FVV | OG | Barnes | Siakam | Poeltl

Bench: Flynn | GTJ | Boucher | Achiuwa | Koloko

I know the team has underperformed but we know each player is talented. We have an All-NBA/All-Star/All-Defense/ROTY/ and if GTJ came off the bench all season would be a 6MOTY candidate.

That's undeniable talent^

Their synergy has been bad, the half court offense is bad, maybe some of those things get fixed. With this Roster, you would call this team top 6 in the East:

• Boston Celtics
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Philadelphia Sixers

• Cleveland Cavaliers

• Miami Heat

• Toronto Raptors

• New York Knicks

• Atlanta Hawks

• Chicago Bulls

With KD and Kyrie gone, the Nets are a rebuilding team.

I think winning a playoff series will be tough against Celts, Bucks, Sixers but I like my chances with the Cavs or Heat.

I don't think we are going to tank with this Roster anymore and that might suck for all the pro-tank fans but Im trying to see where the ceiling of this team is.

Deadline sucked and I am trying to find some silver linings.