The Toronto Raptors are fully healthy.
RJ Barrett will play against the Milwaukee Bucks which means the Raptors will have their full starting lineup and rotation available for the first time this season, according to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg.
Barrett will be on a minutes restriction as he works his way back from an illness. Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley will share the floor for the first time since March 1, 2024. Also, the Raptors full starting lineup of Quickley, Gradey Dick, Barrett, Barnes and Jakob Poeltl will play in their first game together. The starting five has only logged 4 minutes together to this point.
This is a big step in the right direction for a Raptors team that has been decimated with injuries dating back to last season. The Raptors will now have their projected starting five get meaningful reps together. Players will shift to their more natural role and the rotation will have more of an identity now.
With the starting five intact, the Raptors second unit should consist of Jamal Sheal who has overtaken Davion Mitchell as the first guard from off the bench, Ja’Kobe Walter, Bruce Brown, Ochai Agbaji and Kelly Olynyk.
The players likely out of the rotation and on the bench are Mitchell, Chris Boucher, Garrett Temple and Bruno Fernando.
With the Raptors healthy, Joanthan Mogbo will likely see an extended G League stint along with Jamison Battle, A.J. Laweson and Ulrich Chomche.
The Raptors will have their full squad when they take on one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks are the 2024 NBA Cup champions and have NBA title aspirations. They will be without Khris Middleton for this one who’s out due to tendinitis in his ankle.
It’s been a long time coming, but the Raptors are finally at full strength.
NBA insider shares latest trade talks ahead of deadline
Jakob Poeltl’s name continues to be at the center of trade talks as the Feb. 6 trade deadline fast approaches.
According to Marc Stein, the Raptors are resisting “mounting trade interest” in Poeltl despite the team being in a rebuild.
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