The Toronto Raptors could be without free-agent signee Jared Sullinger at the beginning of the regular season. Sullinger hurt his left foot when somebody stepped on it in the Raptors' preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 4, and has not suited up since. Toronto coach Dwane Casey said the big man won't be available for the team's preseason finale against the Washington Wizards on Friday, adding that it could be "a little while" before he returns, via the Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat.
"He may be a little while before he comes back," head coach Dwane Casey said after shootaround on Friday morning before the Raptors faced the Wizards.
"He may get checked out just to see what else is going on. I don't know (if this means he definitely won't play against the Pistons)," Casey said.
"He'll get it checked out. He's going to get another opinion, get it looked at, because it's been sore for a while now."
Sullinger had recently returned to shooting jump shots at practice, but hasn't been doing much on-court besides that. Weight has long been an issue for the former Boston Celtics starter, but Casey has insisted throughout camp that Sullinger had been doing a great job since signing of dropping some pounds and doing ample cardio work.
Sullinger was expected to step right into a starting role for the Raptors, replacing Luis Scola, who signed with the Brooklyn Nets this summer. Casey also planned to use him as Jonas Valanciunas' primary backup at center, taking some of the minutes that went to Bismack Biyombo last season. If he is indeed out for a while, then there will be more minutes available for Patrick Patterson, Pascal Siakam and Lucas Nogueira. DeMarre Carroll could see more time at the power forward spot, too.
Assuming Sullinger misses Toronto's season opener against the Detroit Pistons next Wednesday, keep an eye on who starts in his place. Siakam, the No. 27 pick in the draft, has had that role in the last few games, but Patterson got two starts earlier in the preseason. While Patterson is the better player, the Raptors have been reluctant to use him as a starter, believing he's more comfortable coming off the bench. If he gets the nod and produces immediately, then maybe he'll end up holding onto that role.
