Raptors executive Masai Ujiri once said that change is good. He must believe that because the team has changed drastically. In the last two seasons, they lost Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and coach Nick Nurse. That is quite a transformation.
Now, we wait and see the results of what Ujiri is up to.
In the meantime, let us review the team’s most recent season and highlight some of its key assets.
Great Scott
When key players left, it only paved the way for the team’s newest star to arrive. Scottie Barnes did not crumble when his number was called. Now, the former Rookie of the Year awardee has the supporting cast he needs. Can he build on last season, where a 20-5-5 (points, rebounds, assists) game was usually the norm for him?
The Hometown Kid
Already a great scorer, RJ Barrett can still polish his game and has good upside. His shooting needs some tweaking, though. He has to shoot better from the free-throw line and three-point land. Improving his turnover rate wouldn’t hurt, either. A big year could make him a big piece for the team.
RJ Barrett as a Toronto Raptor
90 GP
32.7 MPG21.3 PPG
6.3 RPG
4.9 APG
49.7 FG%
36.2 3P%Still one of most underrated players in basketball and just now turning 25…
Happy Birthday Big bro 🐐@RjBarrett6 pic.twitter.com/BCD0c9WT0D
— L 🫥 🔮 (@BarrettsGoat) June 14, 2025
Brand Name
Another thing to be excited about is Brandon Ingram’s first full season in Toronto. They often say that a change of scenery can be refreshing for a player. Well, this could be Ingram’s new scene. Remember, the Raptors were one of the worst teams in the “offensive rating” ranks, and adding another scorer like Ingram has to be a relief.
New Big Three
Barnes, Barrett, and now Brandon? Maybe the “B-Boys” could be a thing next season. Of course, the results of combining these three talents might take time because Ingram, the newcomer, needs to adjust. A good outcome would certainly revitalize a franchise that missed the NBA Playoffs in the last three seasons.
Defeating Two Champs
In early January, the Raptors were down by three with two and a half minutes left when they faced the Golden State Warriors. Instead of folding, they went on a 6-0 run to close out the game. Holding the Warriors without a field goal in the dying minutes was the turning point.
Fun Dub 🪩
Full @TangerineHoops Highlights ➡️ https://t.co/sJE4rtmCHd pic.twitter.com/spHk9wqKOH
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 14, 2025
Two days later, they won by 13 points against the Boston Celtics. Somehow, they turned the defense up again and made sure that the Celtics only had one field goal in the last four minutes of the game. That one field goal? A three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining when the game was already decided.
Main Image Credit: @raptors/Instagram
