LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 11: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics helps up Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors had a horrible 2021 season, and there are valid reasons why. Some are self-inflicted, and others have been out of their control. Not retaining Serge Ibaka to play center was management’s own self-inflicted sabotage of a team that had completed seven consecutive seasons of playoff basketball.
The decision left Toronto with an inadequate frontcourt for much of 2021. Replacements Aron Baynes and Alex Len had negative impacts on the team.