The Toronto Raptors have had a tough time cracking zone defenses this season - and the numbers back it up. They rank 28th in efficiency against the zone, despite seeing it more than almost any other team in the league.
That’s not a great combo. So when the Sacramento Kings threw zone at them for three-quarters of the game, it wasn’t exactly a surprise.
What was surprising, though, was how quickly Scottie Barnes figured it out and flipped the script.
Early on, it was rough. The Raptors' offense sputtered in the first half, looking disjointed and hesitant against the Kings’ zone coverage.
But Barnes took it upon himself to be the problem-solver. He read the gaps, attacked with purpose, and made the Kings pay for leaning so heavily on the scheme.
His ability to adapt mid-game and break down the defense was a reminder of just how versatile and cerebral his game has become.
Of course, Barnes hasn’t been doing this alone. The Raptors are in the middle of a stretch without their two primary big men - Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles - and that absence has forced the team to get creative, especially on the glass.
The frontcourt might be depleted, but the rest of the roster hasn’t backed down from the challenge. Guards and wings have stepped up their rebounding, fighting for every loose ball and refusing to get pushed around.
Brandon Ingram, in particular, has been a standout in this department, using his length and timing to make an impact on the boards.
Still, the weight of the interior workload has largely fallen on Barnes and Murray-Boyles - until now. With Murray-Boyles sidelined by a thumb contusion, the Raptors are down to just one of their pseudo-big men. And while the experiment of going small has produced some encouraging moments - and maybe even uncovered a bit of a secret weapon - it’s becoming clear that reinforcements are needed.
The Raptors have been able to survive without a traditional big, but the road ahead gets steeper. Sandro Mamukelashvili gave a gutsy performance against the Warriors, pulling down 12 rebounds against a soft frontcourt, but the upcoming schedule features stiffer tests. With players like Donovan Clingan and Chet Holmgren on the horizon, Toronto’s undersized front line will be under serious pressure.
Poeltl’s return would be a major boost, but there’s still no firm timeline. Reports suggest he’s not yet moving at game speed, which means the Raptors may need to look elsewhere for help in the middle. According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Toronto has their eyes on potential trade targets like Day’Ron Sharpe and Goga Bitadze - both of whom could offer some much-needed size and rim protection.
For now, the Raptors are holding their own through hustle, adaptability, and a little bit of improvisation. Barnes continues to stretch the boundaries of what a player his size can do, and if the team can blend that versatility with a true big man presence down the line, they might just stumble upon a formula that works - not just for surviving, but for winning.