Raptors' McCaw out minimum 4 weeks after benign mass removed from knee
The Toronto Raptors’ depth — or lack thereof — has been a glaring concern early in the season, and the latest news on Patrick McCaw isn’t going to make matters any better.
The shooting guard underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday, during which a benign mass on the back of his knee was removed. The three-time NBA champion will be reevaluated in four weeks.
McCaw’s troublesome knee had been bugging him since the summer; the 24-year-old missed Toronto’s final preseason game, as well as the team’s first three contests of the regular season.
Toronto’s bench is now razor thin, particularly in the backcourt. The starters — Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet — are currently averaging 38.8 and 37.8 minutes per game, respectively.
Norman Powell hasn’t been a consistent contributor, averaging 7.7 points in 24.3 minutes per game. And undrafted rookie Terence Davis, as well as three-point shooter Matt Thomas, have yet to earn Nurse’s trust in Toronto’s system.
Even with McCaw in the lineup, concerns over Toronto’s backcourt have been steadily mounting as the season goes on. “Load management,” a popular term surrounding Kawhi Leonard and last season’s Raptors team, is now a luxury that Toronto simply can’t afford with its current lineup.
McCaw averaged 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals through his two games in 2019-20.
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