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Milwaukee Bucks: How they stack up in Eastern Conference after trade deadline

By Kenny Jilek

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 23: Serge Ib aka #9 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 23, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 23: Serge Ib aka #9 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 23, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors

Trade Deadline Losses: Delon Wright, C.J. Miles, Jonas Valanciunas, Greg Monroe, 2021 second round draft pick

Trade Deadline Acquisitions: Marc Gasol, Jeremy Lin

The Raptors, much like the 76ers, are in win now mode, trading rotation players away in favor of a big name acquisition. In this case, their big acquisition was Marc Gasol. They also traded away Greg Monroe and a draft pick to clear cap space and used that space to sign Jeremy Lin.

Starting Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka

Starting Lineup Combined Stats: 83.2 points per game, 18.2 assists per game, 31.3 rebounds per game, 112.6 Offensive Rating, 106.6 Defensive Rating, 6.0 Net Rating

Unlike the Pacers and 76ers, the Raptors did not change their starting lineup after the deadline, as Gasol has come off the bench in all three games he’s played for Toronto. This is the first time Gasol has come off the bench since his rookie year, and even then he started 75 of the 82 games he played in. The Raptors may see no reason to shuffle the lineup because their starters have played very well together this year. There are certainly better starting lineups, but being plus six per 100 possessions in minutes mostly against other starting lineups is pretty good.

Key Bench Contributors: Marc Gasol, Jeremy Lin, OG Anunoby, Norman Powell, Fred VanVleet

Jeremy Lin has only played in one game for the Raptors in which he scored eight points and pitched in five assists. The Raptors will need him to continue steady production in the absence of Fred VanVleet who will take five weeks to recover from surgery on his left thumb. They will also need Norman Powell to step up in a big way with wings Delon Wright and C.J. Miles departure. As I stated earlier, Gasol is not accustomed to being a bench player and may take some time to work into his new role.

With the roster shakeups and injury, there are a lot of question marks with this Raptors squad, but they are second in the East, only one game behind the Bucks going into the break. They could very possibly find themselves in an Eastern Conference Finals battle with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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