NBA Rumors

Raptors Preview: Bold Moves Or Building for Nowhere? Next Chapter Looms In Toronto

October 18, 2024

Raptors Preview

A look at the Toronto Raptors entering the 2024-25 season …

Coach: Darko Rajakovic
Last Season: 25-57 (failed to make the playoffs)
New Faces: Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead, Ulrich Chomche, Davion Mitchell, Branden Carlson
Notable Losses: Gary Trent Jr., Jalen McDaniels, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Jordan Nwora, Malik Williams, Mouhamed Gueye, Jontay Porter

Overview

The question of whether the Raptors already have a core worth building around has been answered — at least in the front office’s eyes. They didn’t waste any time handing Scottie Barnes a five-year max the moment they could.

Then they doubled down, pulling off a blockbuster to bring in Immanuel Quickley and offering him up to $175 million over the same span. It’s clear: the Raptors are betting big on this group.

And why not? The Barnes-Quickley-RJ Barrett trio, when paired with Jakob Poeltl, outscored opponents by 65 points in just 234 minutes after the trade. That’s no small feat.

Small sample size? Sure. But it’s the kind of production that signals something more.

Barnes, in particular, is a player who has Raptors brass buzzing. We’re talking about a guy who’s flirted with All-Star numbers and put himself in elite company — think Jokic, Giannis, Luka, Sabonis. If Barnes can elevate his game and become a true No. 1, Toronto has something special.

Now, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Barrett has been a solid two-way player but hasn’t quite hit the “Maple Mamba” heights that were once expected. That said, since coming over from New York, he’s been playing some of the best basketball of his career.

And then there’s Quickley — dynamic as ever, lighting it up from deep while keeping defenses on their heels with his playmaking.

Combine those three with Poeltl, who’s as reliable as they come at the rim, and it’s a solid foundation.

But here’s the problem: You need more than four guys. The Raptors have seen a lot of familiar faces leave in the past year — Siakam, VanVleet, Anunoby, even Nick Nurse. Now they need to figure out who fits around this core.

That’s where the experiments begin. Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, and a few other youngsters have a chance to carve out roles, but whether they can take that next step is anyone’s guess.

It’s clear Masai Ujiri has shifted his focus. He’s not hiding it. He used the word “rebuilding” on media day, and that’s exactly what this is.

The Raptors want to see what their young guys can do, and they’re not afraid to endure some growing pains in the process.

Best-case scenario? Barnes breaks out into an All-NBA player, Quickley and Barrett push for All-Star nods, and Toronto surprises people. The Raptors could push their way into the top six of the East, playing meaningful basketball in the spring.

Worst-case scenario? Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley look good in flashes but can’t stay healthy or carry the team consistently. The result is a trip back to the lottery, where Toronto hopes to land another piece to pair with its young core.

Either way, this season will show whether the Raptors are building something special — or just spinning their wheels. The next chapter is about to unfold.