Matt Thomas is off to a strong start as he seeks a larger role in the Raptors‘ rotation this season, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet. The second-year shooting guard posted 16 points, five assists and two steals in Toronto’s preseason opener Saturday night while hitting 4-of-7 shots from three-point range.
Thomas played just 10.7 minutes per game as a rookie, and he’s trying to break through in a crowded wing rotation. The offseason signing of DeAndre’ Bembry adds to a bench group that already includes Norman Powell, Terence Davis and rookies Malachi Flynn and Jalen Harris.
“He’s a shooter, obviously, but he’s also a good player,” coach Nick Nurse said of Thomas. “He cuts and he moves. He does the right thing on defense. He’ll get overmatched once in a while size-wise or strength-wise or whatever. But I think for as much as he does at the other end, and his good decision-making at both ends, I’m wanting to lock him into a role this year where he’s a big factor.”
There’s more on the Raptors:
- Kyle Lowry‘s absence isn’t a cause for concern, Grange adds in the same story. The veteran guard didn’t accompany the team for its two games in Charlotte, but the coaching staff is just being cautious as Lowry prepares for his 15th NBA season. “It’s basically load management and just not really (seeing) any need to have him on the trip,” Nurse explained.
- Flynn turned in a solid debut, playing almost 20 minutes with nine points and four assists, notes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. The rookie also lived up to the defensive reputation that helped make him the 29th pick in this year’s draft. “It’s just adjusting on the fly,” Flynn said. “It’s a different game, they call it different, so really I’m just trying to see how they call it and adjust to it and I’m still doing those things, so I think it’ll just be a lot of adjusting throughout the year.”
- As they try to preserve cap space for next year’s free agent market, the Raptors have an important decision upcoming on whether to extend OG Anunoby, writes John Hollinger of the Athletic in a season preview for the team. Anunoby only counts $11MM against the cap for 2021/22 as long as he remains unsigned, but Toronto risks having a team submit a huge offer sheet if he becomes a restricted free agent.
Should be a good season for the Raps
Flynn was a nice pickup. Was thinking Knicks would take him.
Flynn could be a sneaky good ROY pick, especially if Kyle Lowry gets traded. Of course, it only one game into the pre-season so really anyone from the draft could be ROY. That’s what makes it fun.
This year is one of those where anyone could b rookie of the year.
Flynn is going to be an absolute stud, but let’s not get carried away, he is not winning ROY. And if Lowry gets traded, it will be at season’s end.
How do you trade a player entering free agency at the end of a season? I think you mean he will be traded at the trade deadline…
“but Toronto risks having a team submit a huge offer sheet if he becomes a restricted free agent.”
Personally, if that happened I would happily let him go. Guys like Anunoby are not really that hard to find. He’s good, but not that good. Plus, you would be hurting one of your 29 rivals by watching them spend a larger percentage of their cap on a player not worthy of it.
It would be nice to keep him, but if he is looking for a major payday, I say replace him with someone with the same current on court output, but with less”potential.” That way you’ll be exactly as good for now and you won’t be disappointed when your project doesn’t become a superstar.
He’s not going to be a superstar, but guys who can be solid scoring options who are also difference makers on the defensive end are not nearly as easy to find as you’re implying.