You can understand why optimism abounds in Raptorland this summer. It’s not just the uneasy excitement that comes with bookmakers placing Toronto among the favourites to ultimately win the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.
It’s the notion that, assuming the Raptors are firm in their reported refusal to entertain including Scottie Barnes in Durant talks, Barnes seems to be possessed of the requisite savvy and guts to climb aboard a developmental rocket-ship to imminent all-star status.
It’s the idea that the acquisition of Otto Porter Jr. ought to improve Toronto’s three-point shooting percentage, which was below-average during the regular season (ranked 20th of 30 teams) and downright woeful in the post-season, when the Raptors’ 30 per cent gunning ranked 14th of 16 playoff teams.