Toronto Raptors Preview: Bench Mob 1.5

The Raptors enter the season with an almost entirely new bench unit. Can this mixed bag of defensive stoppers and high-potential youngsters help speed up the rebuilding process?

There’s a sense of Deja Vu with this year’s Toronto Raptors. A pesky defensive-minded point guard awaits his chance to make all the teams that passed him up in the first round of the draft pay for their mistake. There’s the raw, versatile big with homerun-or-strikeout potential. How about the potential microwave scorer off the bench?

Jamal Shead is not Fred VanVleet. Ulrich Chomche is not Pascal Siakam. Ja’Kobe Walter is not Norm Powell. (And this is certainly not a rookie preview. JD does a much better job of that here.) This season’s bench is nothing like the Bench Mob from 2017-18, but there’s enough potential to incite hope! This may not be a Bench Mob 2.0, but more of a Bench Mob 1.5.

As you’ve already read on this site, each of the starters and the incoming rookies had their own previews. This one will focus on the reserves — an eclectic group of players oozing with “prove ‘em wrong” energy.

Key Reserves

One of the big questions heading into this season was who would be the 5th starter to play alongside Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. Would Darko Rajakovic opt for more experience (Bruce Brown) or speed up Gradey Dick’s development by thrusting the 2023 lottery pick into the starting group?

The question was seemingly answered last month when Brown underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. While the former NBA champion is set to be reevaluated soon and may end up starting, the Raptors will surely ease Brown back into the lineup, especially considering he’s Toronto’s biggest trade chip. As for his on-court contributions, Brown will likely toggle between the starting lineup and being one of the first off the bench. His ability to bring up the ball (79th percentile among wings in Assist to Usage ratio), guard multiple positions (93rd percentile among wings in block percentage just two seasons ago with Denver), and score in the paint (93rd percentile among wings in scoring at the rim) makes Brown an important piece off the bench.

Defense will be the hallmark of this reserve group, especially with the excitement surrounding the guard position. Davion Mitchell is currently holding the backup point guard spot. ‘Off-Night’ was the 9th pick of the Sacramento Kings three years ago. Playing behind All-Star, De’Aaron Fox, and Sixth Man of Year runner-up, Malik Monk, did not allow Mitchell enough opportunity to show his ability as the primary ball-handler. The Kings must have known DeMar DeRozan, who they acquired two weeks later, was an achievable target because they essentially salary-dumped Mitchell into the open arms of Masai Ujiri. It’s only preseason, but Davion is already showing his potential as a pick-and-roll passer and playing with the confidence of a player given a second chance. His defense is still incredible and worthy of the ‘Off-Night’ nickname. While Mitchell will be running point in most situations, he’ll likely be paired with Olynyk and/or Scottie Barnes. His ability to knock down the corner three (46%) or cut to the basket (94th percentile in scoring at the rim) makes Mitchell an invaluable reserve.

When Jakob Poeltl heads to the bench, the Raptors will offer a different look when Kelly Olynyk checks in. What Olynyk lacks in rebounding and interior defense, he more than supplements with outside scoring and playmaking. The Scarborough-born native should continue thriving in Darko’s offense, which promotes ball movement and encourages cuts to the basket — ideal for a big man with court vision and passing skills like Olynyk. The front office used this past offseason to beef up on defenders. Whether it’s Davion Mitchell or Jamal Shead at the point-of-attack, or Jonathan Mogbo helping alongside Chris Boucher and Ochai Agbaji, Olynyk will have plenty of reinforcements to help him on the defensive end.

With all the discussion surrounding the newest members joining the team, it’s easy to forget about Ochai Agbaji. While he’s also trying to prove his value as an NBA player, he could also sneak in as the Raptors’ 5th starter. Ochai is a better defender than Gradey and can supplant Bruce because he better fits the growth & development timeline. So far, there’s still a considerable gap between potential and actual production for Agbaji. He has shown some chemistry with his fellow Kansas Jayhawk alum, Dick, and is benefiting from playing with passing big men with timely cuts to the basket. Solid defense and effective rim-running will only take Ochai so far in the NBA. He’ll need to start knocking down outside jumpers to truly have a positive impact on this team.

Speaking of forgotten players, Chris Boucher reminded everyone of his presence during the opening preseason games against Washington. Slim Duck had a hard time cracking Rajakovic’s rotation last season but is already showing his true value. Boucher is a relic from Nick Nurse’s chaos-inducing lineups and is guaranteed to make an impact whenever he steps on the court — positive or negative. He’s primed for more playing time, not only because his offensive rebounding affords more possessions but because his negative plays (flying past 3-point shooters, lack of strength against beefier opponents, inconsistent outside shot) aren’t that detrimental to a Raptors team likely headed for a high draft pick.

Garrett Temple is the only Raptor guaranteed to meet and exceed expectations. During Media Day, both Barnes and Dick called out Temple’s leadership, unprompted, as a valuable learning source this summer. “I see a lot of leadership in Garrett Temple. The way he carries himself, the way he talks, the way he communicates….what he tells us throughout the season,” said Barnes, “That’s one of the guys I look up to. I just take notes and try to assert myself within some of the ways that he associates himself.” Later on, Gradey Dick chimed in, “I still have a Garrett Temple pushing me throughout the season and just allowing me to learn….it’s been amazing.” With more new faces joining the team, Temple’s voice and leadership will continue paying huge dividends for the Raptors. Anything he provides on the court is a bonus.

Rookies + Two-Ways

Rookies Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, and Jonathan Mogbo all offer interesting glimpses into the Raptors’ future. Walter has been dealing with a shoulder injury but will be given the longest runway among the rookies — the benefit of being the only first-round pick in the group. He’s got the skill set to be a great 3-and-D player in the NBA (his NBA comp on NBADraft.net was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Not bad!). With many players on the roster currently leaning one side of the ball more than the other, Walter’s two-way ability should keep him in Rajakovic’s rotation.

The same can be said for Shead. He’s been the highlight of Toronto’s preseason thus far. Shead lived up to his reputation as a defensive pest, getting a steal on his first defensive possession. He’s been very decisive on offense so far and looks very much like he’s ready to challenge Mitchell for the backup point guard spot. Shead has amassed 11 assists (to only 3 turnovers) and 5 steals over his first 3 preseason games.

Mogbo may need some time in the G-League this season but he’s shown me enough to be very excited about his future. He’s got a gigantic wingspan (7’2) but handles the basketball like a sub-6’ point guard. Mogbo has already shown great court vision, the ability to handle the ball (11 assists to 1 turnover), and a nose for the ball (8 offensive rebounds). Whether or not he cracks the rotation this year, Mogbo has a bright future with the Raptors and likely spending a lot more time with his close friend, Scottie Barnes.

The two-ways also offer a mixed bag of skills. Ulrich Chomche is easily the biggest project on this roster. The first draft pick ever from the NBA Academy Africa, Chomche will need a lot of time developing with the 905 before stepping up with the big boys. Branden Carlson fits the mold of the modern-day Center — he can block shots, and defend the paint, but can also drain the three. He’ll likely spend most of his time in the G-League unless injuries at Toronto’s thinnest position force a call-up. DJ Carton is the only returning two-way from last season. While the need for an emergency point guard was much larger last season, the acquisition of Mitchell and the drafting of Shead should prevent Carton from making any inroads with Rajakovic’s rotation.

Battle for 15th

There’s still an open spot at the end of the bench. Jamison Battle, Jah’mius Ramsey, and Jared Rhoden all have an uphill battle trying to crack the roster over Bruno Fernando. Not only are they all on Exhibit-10 contracts (compared to Fernando’s “regular” contract which becomes guaranteed on opening night), but Fernando plays the position with the least amount of depth. After Poeltl and Olynyk, the only players taller than 6’9 are Carlson and Chomche (both on two-way contracts). The next tallest is the wiry Boucher (6’9), followed by Barnes and Battle (6’7). Fernando is an above-average rebounder who can patrol the paint in a pinch. Rajakovic is more likely to play small-ball if Poeltl and Olynyk were both missing time (knocks on wood).

There you have it, Bench Mob 1.5. A collective group of players with various chips on their shoulders. The Raptors will only go as far as its starters go (and grow) but this bench group has a lot of potential to shock teams with defensive intensity and just enough scoring on offense to improve on last season’s 28th-ranked unit (net rating among all bench units). What do you think? Is this group of reserves worth getting excited over?