Raptors Discuss How They'll Approach Load Management & Rest Days

The Toronto Raptors say they're planning to limit the minutes of their star players but would like to play everyone as often as possible

There are few things more disappointing for NBA fans than showing up to see an NBA superstar only to find out they’ve been tagged with the dreaded “load management” game.

For Toronto Raptors fans, it’s a well-known experience. Take Steph Curry, for example. The Golden State Warriors superstar hasn’t played in Toronto since the 2019 NBA Finals. Last year, Toronto missed LeBron James’ annual trip as he, unsurprisingly, sat out the second night of a back-to-back despite premium prices to see that game.

The NBA is hoping to change that this season and the Raptors, a team that was once at the forefront of the load management revolution, seem to be on board.

“It’s a long season. We need to be smart,” said Raptors coach Darko Rajaković following Thursday’s practice. “Obviously we want to play our best players in every game when we have the opportunity to do so.”

Last season the Raptors led the NBA in starters’ minutes, at 33.8 per game. The team had two players, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, in the top five in minutes played per game, with Siakam leading the league in the category. O.G. Anunoby and Scottie Barnes weren’t far behind, at 16th and 27th, respectively.

Toronto plans to change that this year. Instead of limiting their games played with rest days, the goal is to use a deeper rotation, Rajaković said, and Toronto’s best players play as often as possible with fewer minutes played per game.

For the old guard of the NBA, that’s kind of business as usual.

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“That’s what we came into the league to do, right? To play 82,” said the 35-year-old Thad Young who has played in over 1,110 career games. “We came first to get to the league and to be able to play our first game and why not strive to try to play 82 each and every season. So, for the most part, that's what I strive to do. I strive to play and be available for all 82-plus playoffs, preseason, whatever.”

There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. Players like Kawhi Leonard with a lengthy history of injury are going to be brought along slowly. Toronto appears to be playing it cautious with Otto Porter Jr., whose training has been limited in preseason despite his toe being back to full strength after surgery last season.

But if Rajaković is true to his word, there aren’t going to be very many rest nights for Siakam, Barnes, Anunoby, or Jakob Poeltl this season. Their minutes may be limited, but if they’re healthy, they’re playing as often as possible.

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