The Toronto Raptors have received widespread criticism for what many believe to be a flawed approach to team-building. Toronto has invested heavily in size and versatility, adding wings and forwards en masse, but some fear that they've lost the opportunity to create cohesion in the process.
Thankfully, the Raptors' seemingly radical approach to roster construction is justified by the success the Houston Rockets have experienced under similar circumstances.
Even before it landed Kevin Durant, Houston had embraced a surprising strategy for escaping the depths of despair. It paid above market value for NBA champion point guard Fred VanVleet, invested in a veteran wing in Dillon Brooks, and prioritized size and versatility from thereon out—ultimately resulting in 52 wins and the No.