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Have the Toronto Raptors finally repaid their karmic debt for the Kawhi shot?

Syndication: USATODAY

John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Spo

On the anniversary of the best moment in Toronto history, will the Raptors be blessed yet again by the basketball gods at the NBA Draft Lottery?

6 years ago today, May 12 2019, Toronto experienced the greatest moment in the city’s history. Four bounces of a ball on a rim and the swoosh of a net not audible due to the chasmic uproar of screaming that started before the ball was fully through the nylon.

Kawhi Leonard made a buzzer-beater shot that changed the trajectory of sports culture in the city of Toronto. It seems like we’ve been paying for it ever since.

As the joy of the championship era settled and the reality of the next era of Raptors history set in, it felt more and more each day like we sold our soul to the basketball gods in exchange for that shot. Whether you believe in karma or not, the peak of that shot and the championship that followed led into an era more depressing than ever before. We had reached the mountain-top, breathed in the sweet air of success, and were now addicted. The basketball gods expected their payback, though.


6 years ago today… Kawhi hit the shot and sent the Sixers home #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/qAPMte2pqm

— Raptors Republic (@raptorsrepublic) May 12, 2025

A pandemic, the bubble season, the Tampa season, the short levity of drafted Scottie Barnes, followed by the return into the pits of tanking basketball. Six years of losing basketball — is that enough payback? Are the gods satisfied enough to let the Toronto Raptors off the hook and let them have a bit of success again?

I guess we will see tonight, as the NBA Draft Lottery and its four measly ping pong balls determine the immediate future of the Toronto Raptors franchise.

The Raptors have a 7.5% chance of pulling the No. 1 Overall pick in a year when Cooper Flagg is the presumed top prospect. They have a 31.9% chance of getting a top-four pick — the same fate that was given to them in 2021 when they were able to draft Scottie Barnes No. 4 overall. Right now, the odds have them at No. 7 overall after a season of questionable tanking methods.

A few rolls of the tankathon machine have the Raptors going both ways — sometimes they leap up, and other times they roll back in the draft. No one can accurately predict where those ping pong balls will land.

If the Toronto Raptors get the No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg is the obvious answer. A generational talent who wowed the NCAA during one year with Duke would turn into a franchise-altering piece for whoever is lucky enough to get him. Getting the first pick would certainly feel like the karmic debt of the Kawhi shot is in the past, and the Raptors could sure use some good juju going into next season.


Masai Ujiri will represent the Toronto Raptors at the NBA draft lottery pic.twitter.com/lcIxebdHww

— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 12, 2025

Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster will be at the Draft Lottery tonight to represent the team. Last they spoke to the media after the NBA season, they were hopeful about the draft regardless of where the Raptors ended up. The Raptors’ decision-making duo has a pretty good history of scouting draft talent, especially this past year when they scooped five promising picks in Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, Ulrich Chomche and Jamison Battle.

The NBA Draft Lottery is Monday at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/12/24428774/toronto-raptors-draft-lottery-nba-cooper-flagg
 
The city of Dallas cannot keep getting away with this

NCAA Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Houston at Duke

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

My reaction to being bamboozled by the city of Dallas on Draft Lottery night twice in sixth months.

Not to be overly dramatic, but the Draft Lottery could not have gone any worse for the Toronto Raptors. Like, what the actual [expletive] was that?

For my sanity and well-being, I did not watch the lottery live. Well, in all honesty, it was one of my best friends’ birthdays, and he planned a dinner, so I was occupied. I assumed the Raptors would hold par at pick No. 7 and be done with it, so there I was, sipping too much wine than is probably acceptable for a Monday night while other Raptors fans experienced the crash out of the century. At around 7:30, I assumed the entire ordeal would be over and decided to check on how the Raptors did. I shouldn’t have looked.

The first tweet I saw was a fake account telling me that the Raptors got the No. 1 overall pick, producing a gasp. It took me all of .2 seconds to realize I had been Centel’d, before continuing to scroll to the next tweet: Blake Murphy’s matter-of-fact declaration that Toronto had drawn the ninth pick. NINTH. Leave it to Blake to kill my buzz (kidding, hehe love ya Blake).

It took another few scrolls for my worst fears to be realized. Not only had Toronto fallen to the No. 9 pick, but the No. 1 pick went to DALLAS. The Dallas Mavericks. The “made the actual worst trade decision in sports history” Dallas Mavericks. Sickening. I felt like I was experiencing Deja Vu.

Dear reader, if you know me, you know I am a fan of a little basketball league called the Women’s National Basketball Association. A league in which one of the best basketball prospects of all time entered this season as the number one draft prospect — a player I had been following her entire college career, Paige Bueckers.

On a fateful December Night, I settled in to watch the WNBA Lottery. While my Toronto Tempo were not yet participating, I was hopeful Bueckers would end up in Los Angeles, personally. Yet, it was the Dallas Wings that snuck up in there and secured the No. 1 pick despite not having the largest odds to do so. Crushing, fr. A Bueckers jersey in the Sparks’ classic gold and purple????? Instant add to cart. It was not meant to be.

This time around, I had more skin in the game, as the Toronto Raptors were on the block. With the 7th-best odds, they only had about a 7.5% chance to get the No. 1 pick. Not nothing, but not the best either. Hell, I would have taken a top-four pick and been happy, or even just the 7th pick and been happy. After years of this team’s half-tank effort, I wasn’t expecting too much and knew Washington or Charlotte had a better shot at that coveted first pick.

What I certainly was not expecting was to be BAMBOOZLED by the city of Dallas a SECOND TIME in six months. Tell me how the Mavericks franchise completes the world’s most EGREGIOUSLY DUMB TRADE, tries to gaslight their fanbase into thinking it was the right thing to do, and gets rewarded IMMEDIATELY with Cooper Flagg. After they JUST got Paige Bueckers?!?!?!? Make it make sense, because it doesn't.

The Mavericks only had a 1.5% chance at drawing No. 1, on top of it. That makes the Raptors’ 7.5% odds look AMAZING. The Mavericks didn’t even have a chance to tank before being rewarded with the No. 1 pick in a year with Cooper Flagg as a prospect. It’s infuriating.

I’m a conspiracy theorist about two things in this world: All-Star Voting and Draft Lotteries. There’s no way the All-Star voting process is not rigged to benefit the league’s most profitable players. In the same vein, there is something SO fishy about Dallas getting both Bueckers and Flagg in the same year. Different team ownership aside, just generally WTF.

What does Toronto need to do to get some good juju? Are we literally in basketball purgatory until we get graced with Juju Watkins on the Toronto Tempo? That has to be the endgame, right? Why do the Raptors keep getting the most terrible luck? I mean, all it took Dallas was trading Luka Doncic, meanwhile the Raptors have dealt with a relocation to Tampa Bay, being sued by the Knicks, a betting investigation, too many injuries to list, and the Drake/Kendrick fallout. WE DESERVED a top-four pick! Certainly more than Dallas did!

Give me a few weeks to crash out about the No. 9 pick, and I will be fine, but I will not get over the Mavericks getting the top pick. I would be less mad about the 76ers getting it, and that’s saying a lot. They can’t keep getting away with this.

If I had a nickel every time the city of Dallas was awarded a generational No. 1 draft pick, despite fraudulent team decisions, I’d only have two nickels — but it’s weird it happened twice, right?

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/13...avericks-wings-bueckers-flagg-toronto-raptors
 
Raptors still paying karmic price for Kawhi shot as they fall in 2025 Draft

2025 NBA Draft Lottery


Lottery dreams crushed: Instead of moving into the top-four range, the NBA gods punished the Raptors by bumping them to the 9th pick.

The Toronto Raptors fanbase tuned in to the NBA lottery “show,” filled with hope, but the dream quickly turned into a nightmare. Raptors’ President Masai Ujiri was in attendance to represent the team for the festivities, hoping to bring some good luck charm and potentially bring home a top-four pick. The Raptors have a 31.9% chance of landing a coveted top-four pick. Instead, the NBA gods punished them by bumping them not one, but two spots back with the 9th pick overall.


The Raptors get the 9th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Not much of a reaction from Masai Ujiri. pic.twitter.com/oxWoiiIm0c

— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) May 12, 2025

The Raptors entered the draw with a modest 7.5% chance of landing Cooper Flagg and a 7.8% chance of getting Dylan Harper. These two prospects could significantly alter any team’s timeline, and in the Raptors’ case, allow Ujiri, who likes to play “the middle,” the opportunity to split the difference between “competing” and “roster building.” They also have an 8.1% and 8.5% of landing either the 3rd or the 4th overall pick, and Ace Bailey, Tre Johnson, and VJ Edgecombe would be a significant bench upgrade.

It probably would have been fine had the Raptors stayed at 7th overall since they have the 7th-worst record—a 19.7% chance of happening. It’s already infuriating for the fanbase to move back one spot—a 34.1% chance of moving back to the 8th pick overall—but dropping two spots to 9th? But at least we’re not conveying the pick to the San Antonio Spurs.

I guess if there’s any consolation, the Raptors have had success picking 9th — Isaiah Thomas selected Tracy McGrady back in ‘97, Bryan Colangelo picked DeMar DeRozan in ‘09, and Ujiri tabbed Jakob Poeltl back in ‘16.


Masai Ujiri on the Toronto Raptors getting the 9th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft:

“Tracy McGrady. DeMar DeRozan. Jakob Poeltl. We’ll be fine. I guarantee you we’ll be fine.”

— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) May 13, 2025

The biggest winner of the night was the Dallas Mavericks, who defied all odds by taking the #1 overall pick despite a meagre 1.8% chance of moving to the top. This fete also marks the first time Dallas has won the lottery in their franchise history. The rich got richer, too, with the Spurs moving up six spots to take the 2nd overall pick. San Antonio will likely be Dylan Harper’s potential new city.

While the Raptors’ night was disappointing, it wasn’t as bad as the Utah Jazz and the Washington Wizards’. Both teams fell outside the top four and ended up with the 5th and 6th overall picks, respectively.

Here’s how the “lottery” went down:


The full 2025 NBA draft Lottery results ⭐

Where did your team land? pic.twitter.com/UjRZDQYF3I

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 12, 2025

For the second straight season, the Raptors had a chance to commit fully to the tank but, confusingly, went against the grain just enough to be a treadmill mediocre team. The result? The Raptors were not being bad enough that they had to cough up their 2024 lottery pick to the Spurs, and this time, the Raptors failed to secure enough ping pong balls to get into the top-four range. Could the Raptors still be paying off their karmic debt in exchange for Kawhi’s magnetic four-bouncers six years ago?

Masai Ujiri, GM Bobby Webster, and the entire draft evaluation team will now focus on finding gems with the 9th and 39th picks in this coming draft.


This year’s picks.

Presented by @TorontoStar pic.twitter.com/olBPb295ON

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 12, 2025

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/13...flagg-dylan-harper-karmic-price-kawhi-leonard
 
Toronto reportedly in the mix for NBA Superstar trade

NBA: Playoffs-Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Reports came out that a certain Greek Freak may be packing his bags this offseason.

Before Giannis Antetokounmpo signed his current contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, there were rumours that Masai Ujiri was trying to get him to Toronto. The “Greek Freak” is one of the best NBA talents, and getting him on your roster immediately boosts a team into championship contention. Yet, he decided to stay in Milwaukee to bring a championship home to the franchise that drafted him, which he accomplished in 2021. From there, several moves from the Bucks front office went down in an attempt to build another championship team around Giannis.

When the Bucks won the Damian Lillard sweepstakes after the star requested a trade out of Portland, it seemed like Giannis was in Milwaukee to stay. Two seasons into the Giannis/Dame experiment, and not only has it not panned out the way it was expected to, but it has crashed and burned.

It’s no one’s fault, except maybe the universe’s, as the thing that has brought the Bucks’ immediate championship hopes to a screeching halt has been injury. First, it was the deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) that sidelined Lillard at the end of the regular season. A serious and life-threatening condition, players with blood clots often miss extended time to get rid of the clot, address the problem, and then recondition back into game form. Lillard was back on the Bucks court in a month.

Three games later, Lillard would suffer a season-ending Achilles injury, requiring surgery and sidelining him for these playoffs and likely most of next season. Rehabilitation for this injury is usually about a year.

With Giannis in the prime of his career, it seems like a move is imminent given all of these situations. Nothing has been explicitly said by Giannis’s team or the Bucks, and the Bucks would likely only move him if he asks. Has the star’s patience finally dwindled, especially given the prognosis of Lillard?

Now, it’s being reported that the Greek Freak has an interest in Toronto as a potential landing spot. Per Scoop B, Giannis wants to stay in the Eastern Conference, with Brooklyn and Toronto being top of mind. According to the report, Toronto is a place that other stars would want to join Giannis in — we all know it’s a great NBA market. Despite a few podcasts about the struggle of having to spend 10 minutes in customs, players who come to Toronto generally enjoy their time here.

Toronto could check all of Giannis’s “boxes,” per the report. As an international market with a publicly praised medical staff and front office, it’s a great landing spot for an international player like Giannis.

Now, do the Raptors pursue this?

With a star of Giannis’s calibre on the table, absolutely. The Raptors would likely not move off of Scottie Barnes, but pairing the two would be wildly awesome. Everyone else would have to be on the table for a trade. It’s Giannis.

Getting him, pairing him with Scottie Barnes — an immediate championship contender in a VERY weak Eastern Conference. Now might even be the best time to make the jump. Think about what is going on in the East right now: Tatum and Lillard are both out next year, Embiid’s knees are dust, and Flagg is going to the Mavericks. The Villanova Knicks are on their way to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers. A Giannis/Scottie Raptors team could beat either of those ECF teams.

Surely, Masai needs to explore it. There has been mutual interest both ways in bringing Giannis to the Raptors for years, and now could be the time to jump.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/15/24430972/toronto-raptors-giannis-trade-bucks-offseason
 
An NBA team is trying to hire Raptors’ President Masai Ujiri

NBA: Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors

Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

As is the case every once in a while, another NBA team is trying to hire Toronto Raptors’ leader Masai Ujiri.

Toronto Raptors President and Vice Chairman Masai Ujiri is one of the NBA’s most sought-after executives. He has built this franchise into a world-renowned place for players and staff alike to build basketball careers. Ujiri is also the reason the Raptors were able to win a championship — his move to bring Kawhi Leonard to Toronto was the perfect finishing puzzle piece to the Raptors’ winning team.

He’s also a global ambassador of the game, helping bring basketball to millions worldwide through Giants of Africa. You rarely get a high-level NBA executive who brings a mixture of business savvy and humanity to a league that sometimes feels like it’s drowning in the throes of capitalism.

It’s not surprising, then, that Ujiri tends to be head-hunted by other franchises. This time, it seems like the Atlanta Hawks are interested in bringing Ujiri onto their staff, per Marc Stein.

The Hawks have had a rough go of it these past few years, having a blip of playoff success before falling right off back into the irrelevancy of not being a contender but not being in the mix for high-picks. They cleaned house of their front office staff after the 2025 season, promoting internally for the role of General Manager and now searching for a President. According to Stein this week, Ujiri is on their wish list.

Others on their hit list have included Bob Myers, former Golden State Warriors executive, as well as several top agents around the league.

Luckily for Toronto fans, Ujiri seems pretty committed to his role here, stating back in April at end-of-season availability that he believes the team is heading in a winning direction. Toronto has always seemed like the perfect market for Ujiri — it brings his interests of high-level basketball and reaching a global audience together, especially as the NBA’s sole international franchise. He wouldn’t move just anywhere for any job, and it seems like Toronto is where his heart is.

Rumours like this have also been historically tied to being leverage for contract negotiations. The more sought-after you are, the more your current employer may be willing to put on the table for you. Despite loving his job and this market, Ujiri is a businessman at heart. With Ujiri’s contract expiring in 2026 amid a flurry of ownership changes at MLSE (the board that owns the Toronto Raptors), including the eventual departure of Larry Tannenbaum, Ujiri’s future here may be questioned. Ujiri and Tannenbaum have always been close, and it’s been speculated on before that it has been Tannenbaum who has been the guy to close Ujiri’s deals in the past. Masai has been vocal that there is no bad blood between him and the rest of the MLSE bigwigs, despite speculation. Yet, you never know what is going on behind closed doors. All of this to say, true interest from other markets may make MLSE sweeten the deal for Ujiri in future contract negotiations.

Regardless, Ujiri seems to be focused on the Raptors for now. He was their representative at the NBA Draft Lottery last week, looking somewhat hilariously disappointed when Toronto fell to No. 9 in the draft order. It was extremely relatable, Masai. Never change.

When asked how he felt about the Raptors’ draft placement, Ujiri had a short answer: “Tracy McGrady, DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl,” all Toronto Raptors players drafted ninth overall in previous NBA Drafts. Ujiri has always had a knack for scouting talent regardless of draft placement, and he doesn’t seem perturbed at this latest pick.

Curious how perturbed he is at Dallas getting the No. 1 pick, but that’s something I’ll have to ask him next time I see him.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/16/24431118/toronto-raptors-masai-ujiri-atlanta-hawks-marc-stein
 
How to start preparing for Toronto Tempo tip-off

NBA: Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors

Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The Toronto Tempo are officially one year away from entering the WNBA as a team, and you should already be preparing.

Last May, it was announced that Toronto would be launching the WNBA’s 14th team, tipping off in 2026. Since then, we have learned that the team will be named the Toronto Tempo, have been able to buy merch, and events have already started in anticipation. Yet, if you’re thinking about the on-court product (same), you should be tapping into the WNBA NOW to see potential future Tempo players.

The league's 29th season tipped off on May 16, and it only speeds up from here. A 44-game season from May until September, with playoffs into October. There are currently 156 roster spots in the league, but not all of them are being used. An ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation that has the potential to boost the WNBA into the modern era. A tightly contested race for a championship in what will likely be the last season these teams look the way they currently do. A LOT is going on in the WNBA this season.

Free agency pandemonium welcomes the Tempo to the league​


For us here in Toronto, we’ve been watching from the inside looking out, not able to fully participate in the action. Now, in 2025, it feels like we are standing in the doorway observing the chaos from afar, about to dive in. Due to the expiring CBA, many players were able to work out their contracts so that they end after the 2025 season, allowing them to renegotiate their deals under the new league standards. That means that two-thirds of the league will be free agents next January. There are pros and cons to this, of course, the biggest probably being pro: the Tempo will have a ton of free agents to pursue ahead of their first season, and con: their expansion draft may be a little dull.

As the Golden State Valkyries experienced last year, an expansion draft will likely take place around December 2025. Different to the Valkyries’ experience though, Toronto will share this draft with Portland’s expansion team, also tipping off in 2026. The other major difference will be the fact that there will be so many free agents, the pickings may be a little slim for Toronto and Portland.

One interesting rule of expansion in the WNBA, though, is that each team can draft one unrestricted free agent. They can then “core” that player, holding their negotiating rights and paying them the league’s max salary. We don’t know if those rules will stand after the new CBA is signed, but if it does stay, the Tempo have a great pool of players to choose from.

While all of these certainties are up in the air, there are a few things Tempo fans can expect in the next 12 months. First, expect the team to hire their head coach by October-ish, if not before. This gives the coach ample time to hire staff and prepare for the expansion draft and free agency. Next, the expansion draft would likely happen in December, with free agency following in January as it has for many years past. Another thing that happens in December is the WNBA Draft Lottery. If the same rules hold up, Toronto will not be able to receive a lottery pick in their first season and will likely pick around the No. 6 spot in the 2026 draft. Given that Georgia Amoore was drafted No. 6 this season, there is still a ton of talent to be picked up at that spot, so don’t be too stressed.

Get to know the WNBA now​


While many Toronto Tempo fans have been following the WNBA for years, others have not, and that’s okay! Welcome! The first thing to know about the WNBA is that it is VERY different from the NBA. Different style of play, different rules, different culture.

Let’s start with the different styles of play. The WNBA tends to lean more classic in basketball style than the NBA, which has shifted into a three-point shooting favoured system in recent years. Shooting is a priority in the W, but all players also need to be proficient at defence, operating close to the basket, and at least have a decent handle to make it in this highly competitive league. With only 11-12 roster spots per team, and currently only 13 teams, only the best of the best players make it. The result is that players are extremely skilled in the fundamentals, are versatile players, and play all year-round in the WNBA as well as overseas leagues or American offseason leagues to boost their stock as players.

As for rules, the general rules of basketball are pretty similar in the WNBA and NBA, especially as of the past few seasons. The WNBA has added the coach’s challenge, done away with the possession arrow (thank goodness), and has expanded its playoffs to be more similar to how the NBA does it. Yet, things like conferences don’t matter as much in the WNBA. With 13 teams and an uneven number of teams in each conference, it can’t matter too much. The biggest difference is team make-up, given there is currently a 12-player roster limit, and the league’s hard salary cap makes it so that many teams will only carry 11 players to give them more flexibility.

The culture of the WNBA is where things get very different from the NBA. A smaller league means a smaller community of players, coaches, and media. It’s not uncommon for media to have higher levels of access to players in the WNBA than the NBA, and that relationship is a little different. For so long, WNBA players essentially had to be their brand-builders, and that meant getting their messages out to the media a bit more. Up until recent years, WNBA stars hadn’t transcended into popular culture yet, so there was also a similar level of just basic human experience — WNBA players have the same struggles, challenges, and experiences as the average person watching at home. They have kids to raise, bills to pay, and they weren’t the mega-stars the NBA players are. Now, that’s evolved quite a bit in recent years as the sport has exploded into pop culture, but it’s still the same in many ways.

The other big cultural difference in the WNBA is the inclusion and activism aspect. These players are huge advocates for themselves and their communities, and not just in a performative way. They protest, they speak up, and they take action. In turn, they foster a pretty inclusive environment for fans and spectators (mostly, the past few years have been slightly different). The WNBA has become a home for fans of all different races, communities, and identities, because the players reflect those aspects of their fans as well. Sure, we poke fun at the fact that the players date/marry each other, but in turn, that makes the league a welcoming place for fans who don’t feel included in other sports leagues.

How Toronto can get involved NOW​


Well, the first thing is just watching the games, even before Toronto starts playing. WNBA League Pass is pretty affordable and is accessible in Canada. It plays every single game, and you can watch games on demand once they finish. The only games that will be blacked out on League Pass are ones being shown on Canadian broadcast networks like TSN or Sportsnet. That way, you start to become familiar with the other teams in the league, the big names on the court and off the court, and how the games look. When Toronto signs some of these players next year, you already know their style and history.

There is also a WNBA game happening in Canada for the third year in a row, but this year it is a regular season game instead of a preseason game. The Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream will be playing on August 15 in Vancouver, BC after the WNBA held games in Toronto and Edmonton in past years. West Coast fans can go get a taste of what the atmosphere will be like next season.

The Toronto Tempo have also started to put on events to build hype as the countdown to tip-off dips below one year. They held watch parties for the NCAA Championship Game in Toronto and Vancouver in April, and will hold another event in Toronto this coming weekend. Tempo Live, as they are calling it, will be a two-day street festival-type event with a ton going on. Happening at Stackt Market on May 24-25, the Tempo will be hosting panels on every intersection of women’s basketball, from fashion to music and more. Along with that, there will be merchandise for sale (no shipping fees!) as well as some on-court fan activities and activations. It’s a great way to meet other fans, get a sense of the community, and start celebrating the WNBA’s first international franchise.


Big news, Toronto. Tempo LIVE is here. We’re taking over @stacktmarket for two days of merch, hoops, music, speakers, and more.

Mark your calendar May 24 & 25. pic.twitter.com/zPUhvr4Wh4

— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) May 5, 2025

If you’re not already tapped into the WNBA... you’re late! Come join us!

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/19/24433247/toronto-tempo-expansion-wnba-portland-golden-state
 
The Toronto Raptors could go off-book with the No.9 draft pick

NBA: Draft Combine

David Banks-Imagn Images

After the “draft lottery”, we rounded up the top mock drafts online to get a feel for the Raptors’ 9th pick in this coming draft.

Now that the “lottery” and the NBA Draft Combine are over, various mock drafts are starting to see some changes based on where the teams landed after the lottery and the prospects whose stock went up or down based on their Combine appearance.

The draft process is still in the early stage, but so far, the first 6 picks remain stable, although the order can go many different ways once you get past Dylan Harper. At the end of the day, Cooper Flagg, Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Kon Kneuppel, and Jeremiah Fears are all expected to be gone by the time the Raptors are on the clock.

From here, the net is wide open. Khaman Maluach is the most popular choice for the Raptors among draft pundits, but teams ahead of the Raptors can potentially reach for him, like the Washington Wizards with their 6th pick. A couple of intriguing European guards who went through the NCAA could be an option too, in Kasparas Jakucionis and Egor Demin. There are also a couple of young European up-and-comers in Noa Essengue and Nolan Traore. It does feel like the Raptors will end up with an international prospect, unless someone like Tre Johnson falls, or the Raptors reach for Collin Murra-Boyles or Carter Bryant.

Let’s look at the mocks (as of May 20, 2025).

Tankathon: Khaman Maluach​

39th pick: Alex Toohey​

Update: May 20, 2025​


Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis moved into the top 8 on Tankathon’s latest mock draft, making Maluach available for the Raptors at the 9th pick. Meanwhile, SportsNet’s Michael Grange reported that Alex Toohey will work out for the Raptors.


Australian NBL prospect Alex Toohey told me that he has workout with the Raptors scheduled. Big playmaking wing who models his game after Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles and others.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) May 14, 2025

NBADraft.NET: Nolan Traore​

39th pick: Milos Uzan​

Update: May 16, 2025​


Nolan Traore going to the Raptors at 9th is the highest we’ve seen recently, but he entered the current draft cycle as supposedly one of the top prospects of this draft class. Currently, Traore is around the late lottery to mid-1st round range. Had he crossed over, joined an NCAA team, and put up solid stats, there’s a conversation to be had about whether Traore should be a top 8 pick in this draft.

Yahoo Sports (O’Connor): Khaman Maluach​

39th pick: Miles Bird​

Update: May 19, 2025​


New Yahoo Sports’ NBA Draft guru Kevin O’DraftExpert mused that “a team that can afford to be patient, such as the Raptors, could be in for a great reward down the line.” O’Connor ain’t wrong with that take, as Maluach is one of the biggest mystery boxes in this draft.

No Ceilings: Carter Bryant​

39th pick: Maxime Raynaud​

Update: May 13, 2025​


The guys at No Ceilings marked the Raptors’ draft position as the “should we keep it or move it” debate range. With Maluach off the board on their mock draft, it’s between Bryant and Collin Murray-Boyles, with Bryant’s offensive upside earning him a nod here.

Check out No Ceiling’s 2025 NBA Mock Draft V7

NBA Draft Room: Khaman Maluach​

39th pick: Adou Thiero​

Update: May 16, 2025​


The fellas at NBA Draft Room feel like Maluach is the Raptors’ pick of destiny and the first center off their board. There are not a lot of surprising picks ahead, with the exception of Kasparas Jakociounis, who they have going to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Athletic (Vecenie): Khaman Maluach​

39th pick: Darrion Williams​

Update: May 14, 2025​


Sam Vecenie is convinced that Khaman Maluach is the Raptors’ pick for the 9th spot, using Jakob Poeltl’s potential free agency the following summer and Ujiri’s ties to the growth of basketball in Africa.

Bleacher Report (Wasserman): Noa Essengue​

39th pick: Labaron Philon​

Update: May 19, 2025​


Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman has Noa Essengue going to the Raptors. BR’s Zach Buckley posited that “Essengue already feels pretty Raptors-y. “We can’t blame him, as Essengue fits the raw 'Vision 6’9” mystery box prospects that Masai fancies.

USA Today - FTW (Kalbrosky): Derik Queen​

Update: May 13, 2025​


FTW’s Bryan Kalbrosky is one of the few remaining draft pundits still holding on to their Derik Queen mid-lottery stock, but that could change when we see his next mock draft. Queen appears to be sliding due to the subpar Draft Combine showing, but his skill set is intriguing at the very least. Perhaps the main driver for this Derik Queen pick is having Maluach going to the Nets at 8th.

Check out Bryan’s post-lottery mock draft for USA Today FTW

SBNation (O’Donnell): Tre Johnson​

Update: May 12, 2025​


SBNation’s Ricky O’Donnell’s post-lottery mock draft is probably the most intriguing one thus far, as he’s got major shakeups everywhere once you get past Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. He’s got Maluach moving as high as the Jazz’s pick at the 5th spot, and Queen is staying home with the Washington Wizards’ 6th pick. That meant someone from the consensus top 7 pick would slide down, and that’s Tre Johnson on O’Donnell’s mock draft. Johnson being available at the 9th makes him a no-brainer best player available.

CBS (Boone): Kasparas Jakucionis​

Updated: May 18, 2025​


CBS’ Kyle Boone chose a tall point guard despite Maluach and Queen being available on his board. Perhaps Boone is telling us that the Raptors’ biggest need is a point guard. Or maybe, Jakucionis is his BPA regardless.

CBS (Parrish): Khaman Maluach​

Updated: May 18, 2025​


CBS’s Gary Parrish thinks that Maluach is the best prospect available at the Raptors’ spot, and I won’t resist that argument, considering how his mock draft went down.

CBS (Finkelstein): Khaman Maluach​

Updated: May 19, 2025​


Per CBS’s Adam Finkelstein, “The Raptors have quite a bit of committed salary in the next few years, and for all the pieces they’ve recently invested in, his archetype is missing.” We’ll forgive Finkelstein for the Ulrich Chomche disrespect.

CBS (Salerno): Khaman Maluach​

Updated: May 18, 2025​


Maluach still needs time to develop, but going to Toronto would be a great situation for him. Coach Darko Rajakovic will shower him with plenty of hugs and make sure he smiles.

ESPN (Givony/Woo): Collin Murray-Boyles​

Update: May 19, 2025​


The draft experts at ESPN have Collin Murray-Boyles as the BPA at this point, and think that “The Raptors could go in many directions with this pick.” With Maluach off the board on their most recent mock, it makes sense, but there are other prospects worth looking like Kasparas Jakuciounis, Egor Demin, and Noa Essengue.

The Ringer (Mann): Kasparas Jakucionis​

Update: May 12, 2025​


The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann thinks Jakucionis can help the Raptors’ offence. Despite the uptick in passes, assists, and overall player involvement, the Raptors’ offence looked robotic and wonky for the most part. Can Jakucionis help fix Coach Darko’s problem?

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/21/24429325/toronto-raptors-draft-lottery-pick-maluach
 
Toronto Tempo take exciting next step ahead of WNBA launch

IMG_3705.0.jpeg

Tempo Live weekend at Stackt Market | Amanda Lee Coffey

The WNBA’s newest expansion team officially welcomed fans into the mix over a weekend-long activation.

The 365-day countdown to the Toronto Tempo officially joining the WNBA is on, and the team celebrated big over the weekend. Tempo Live, a multi-day activation designed to bring the community together, introduce the city to the team, and get fans excited, seemed to be a huge success. Fans had the opportunity to purchase merchandise, participate on the court, and attend various talks designed to bring together different aspects of the sport and community.

It all started Friday night with a toast to the team, one year before they will officially hit the court. Tempo President Teresa Resch was joined by newly announced co-owner and “Chief Hype Officer” Lilly Singh, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, who all shared their excitement at the growth of women’s sport in the city of Toronto. Guests could check out the activities put on, including the signing of a banner that will eventually hang in Coca-Cola Collesseum when the Tempo start to play.

Despite the on-and-off rain all weekend, the event seemed to go pretty smoothly on Saturday and Sunday. The one talk I was able to catch was the Basketball x Fashion panel, hosted by Makeway Co. founders Abby Albino and Shelby Weaver. They spoke on the importance of inclusion when trying to push the limits of fashion in the sports world. A traditionally male space, everyone on the panel had a unique perspective on how we can not only include women in the world, but also empower them to have the confidence to take it as their own.

Other talks included one on the intersection of basketball and food, and basketball and art as well. Local artists had stations around Stackt Market where they were working on pieces live for fans to watch.

The other big component was the Tempo Court, where they held a variety of activities all weekend. Lay-Up Basketball, a foundation that removes barriers for youth to be involved in basketball, held a skills session on the court, and later in the day, groups could reserve the space to play games of pick-up.

It was the first time that the team and the community came together to celebrate this new era of basketball in Toronto. The events were curated in a way that brought many people who have been building the women’s sports identity of this city long before the WNBA awarded us a team together. It was a way for the fans to come and interact with various members of the team’s staff and see changemakers in action in a variety of different ways. For me, it was a reminder that the basketball community in Toronto is rich and diverse, and filled with people who have such compelling stories to tell, no matter what their medium is.

It was one of the first times the fact that Toronto is getting a WNBA team felt real. As someone who has been hoping (and let’s be real, actively campaigning) for this team for a long time, it felt like the beginning of a celebration that will last years. It was nice to be able to engage in the women’s basketball community in person, instead of having to watch while my American colleagues have all the fun in their markets. A basketball team is nothing without its fans — they create the identity of the team — and being able to see them show up for this team for the first time was special.

It doesn’t stop here, either. Things are about to pick up big time for the Toronto Tempo as we head into the 365-day countdown. The team’s staff is growing, and will continue to grow as the summer goes on. A head coach will likely be hired before the current WNBA season finishes, if not shortly after, to allow that coach time to settle before the Draft Lottery and Expansion Draft take place (likely in December). From there, free agency will be pandemonium in January as the WNBA will see about 2⁄3 of players become free agents as the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires and a new one is hopefully signed soon.

In the short term, a lot of exciting things will happen with the team as well, including the negotiation for Canadian broadcast rights, and the continuation of identity building for the team (mascots, anyone?), court and jersey designs, and more.

Things are ramping up for the Toronto Tempo, and before you know it, we will be cheering on the team inside the arena.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/27/24437424/toronto-tempo-live-event-wnba-expansion
 
This Duke star would fit perfectly with the Toronto Raptors’ needs

2025 NBA Draft Combine

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

New on Raptors Draft Watch: Toronto could solve its center dillema for the next decade by targeting Khaman Maluach in the 2025 NBA Draft.

From where Khaman Maluach was over a year ago, his freshman campaign at Duke was impressive. His brooding presence in the paint deterred opposing teams from venturing into the area when he was in the vicinity, as his towering 7’0.75” height and elongated 7’6.75” wingspan made it hard for adventurers to get to the rim and finish with ease.

Despite looking raw offensively, Maluach shot 71.2% from the field, including 77 dunks in the season, which is good enough to rank him second among all freshmen in Blue Devils history. His success at Duke led to many accolades, including the ACC All-Rookie Team, ACC All-Tournament First Team, NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team, and NABC South Atlantic All-District Second Team.

Mock Draft Range​

Best rank: 5 / Worst rank: 17​


(Per Hoopshype’s Aggregate Mock Draft 6.0)


Truly believe Khaman Maluach has the ability to dominate the paint on both ends of the floor. Unreal physical tools with a nice blend of mobility and hip movements.

An obvious lob threat at all times, but also has great touch inside the paint on hooks or push shots. Defensively… pic.twitter.com/M8dF3lGiJ2

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 20, 2025

Strengths​


Khaman Maluach is the consensus best center in this draft, based on the synergy of his youth, size, mobility, defensive upside, and budding offence — essentially having the potential to be a modern-day big who can protect the paint, defend in space, and space offensively. Imagine a “big” that can roll, pop, space, and hit the middy on the offensive end. Oh, and be a constant vertical threat for a lob. Sounds enticing!

While the numbers haven’t been eye-popping at 1.3 blocks per game, Maluach’s timing and instincts in going for the block — whether as the primary or help defender — project to translate well at the NBA level. He has also shown at times that he can guard shot creators outside the paint. While he is often blown by on the initial action, Maluach’s recoverability allows him to make up for his inexperience, thanks to his solid foot speed, quick lateral movement, and, of course, his length.


THE Khaman Maluach possession pic.twitter.com/rRkMAUMmem

— Will Rucker (@Will_Rucker3_AD) May 26, 2025

Offensively, Maluach is a pretty good vertical target. He excels in rolling to the basket and catching “-oops” or lurking around the dunker’s spot as a vertical release valve. Despite not having elite “hops,” Maluach’s length, soft mitts, touch, huge catch radius, and quick and compact “catch and lay/dunk” form enable him to get the ball to the basket quickly while he’s around the basket.

Another thing that’s worth noting in Maluach’s game is his ability to roll to the open space on PnR actions swiftly. He’s got an outstanding balance of economical footwork, quickness in rolling, and identifying the path to an open space. They say, “Availability is the best ability.” In this case, Maluach is good at making himself available for these types of passes. It’s a skill set similar to Chris Boucher, who seems to have a magnet for the ball, as it often finds him, whether he’s getting open on a half-court offense or the ball bounces his way.

Maluach’s shooting form (76.6% from the free throw line) shows promise that it can somehow translate into middies and, potentially, pick-and-pop opportunities.

Weaknesses​


Defending pick-and-roll has always been a big learning curve for young bigs, and Maluach isn’t an exception. He’s much suited as a “drop” big for now while getting reps on reading the offense’s options manifesting right under his nose. Just like most young bigs, Maluach is prone to making mistakes on his coverage — choosing between the ball-handler and the roller in drop coverage, and when to and not to switch.

One of the most underrated aspects of being a center is the ability to anchor the five-man group’s defense. Sure, being able to block or deter shots at the rim is a prerequisite skill set, but that’s not the end-all and be-all as the team’s center: the ability to anchor the team’s defense while on the floor is critical to the role’s success. Maluach is still learning the job, or in essence, learning basketball as we speak. It’s too much to expect him to protect the paint while reading the offense unfold, call out the screens and actions, and direct his teammates simultaneously.

Maluach’s inexperience also shows up when he picks up quick and unnecessary fouls at times. Part of this is his tendency to rely too heavily on his physical tools and instinct to defend, and part of this is his failure to execute the scouting report, as evident in his blown assignments and incorrect defensive reads.

Offensively, Maluach’s got a long developmental curve to go through, as he’s constrained outside of lobs and putbacks as-is. His fleet-footedness hasn’t translated into post moves where solid footwork can help, but developing a baby hook while being able to turn on either shoulder could be an asset for him.


NEW ON THE FLOOR AND CEILING SUBSTACK

7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach was credited with zero rebounds in Duke’s Final Four loss to Houston.

I broke down his game on the glass and, more broadly, on defense #nbadraft ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/qNXXp6XkQL

— FLOOR and CEILING (Wilko) (@wilkomcv) April 9, 2025

Strength is a must for Maluach to be successful on both ends of the floor. He’ll be dealing with bigger and stronger players at the next level, and we’re not just talking about the bigs in the NBA. Offensively, he’ll need to develop his bag further, whether by improving his moves in the post or setting effective screens for his teammates. I won’t penalize Maluach for his performance against Houston, as it’s his inexperience, lack of strength, and the moment aligning together which resulted in that performance. Wilko made a great breakdown of the game from Maluach’s perspective.

I also have some reservations about his “lift.” Maluach didn’t fare well in the vertical jump part of the combine, measuring subpar at 24 inches standing vertical, along with a 30-inch max vertical jump. This data explains why, despite the dunks and alley-oops, Maluach doesn’t appear to be a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete. His dunks looked like he had enough elevation to dunk the ball with ease, which is largely attributed to his high length, height, and light frame.

In comparison, I reviewed the NBA Draft Combine’s data and examined starter-level bigs with similar vertical jump statistics to those of Maluach. I was able to find less than a handful:

  • Rudy Gobert (25”/29”)
  • Demarcus Cousins (23.5 “/27.5”)
  • Kelly Olynyk (24”/30”)
  • Chris Kaman (23.5”/30.5”)

Nikola Jokic didn’t participate in the Draft Combine, but it’s safe to assume that he should be on this list.

I don’t think it’s a red flag — or at least not yet, but it doesn’t look good that he’s on the low end of this data. If anything, this should give teams that draft him the idea that Maluach should be developed as a “skilled big” rather than relegating him to a traditional rim runner, which would elevate his game at the NBA level.

Maluach’s athletic profile reminds me of Raptors 905 legend Makur Maker, who is almost identical in his measurements, including their vertical jumps. Maker was hyped as a modern versatile big that can handle the ball, face up, and hit his perimeter shots, but while he’s displayed a variety of skill sets that would make a scout drool, the only consistent thing that he did is be very inconsistent while showing shades of his talent now and then. Could we be getting a younger and center version of Makur Maker on a blank slate?

Raptors Fit​


Khaman Maluach 3-point star shooting drill at the NBA draft combine pic.twitter.com/E5C91IaDk5

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025

Jakob Poeltl could be entering the final year of his contract if he doesn’t pick up his player option. He’s currently playing his best basketball these past two seasons, and he’ll be 30 years old before the season starts. The Raptors’ payroll is about to swell starting next season, thanks to the big contracts of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett. Ulrich Chomche is more of an experiment right now, so the Raptors are thin in the frontcourt.

While having Chomche and Khaman Maluach in the Raptors’ pipeline to potentially succeed Poeltl, both developmental prospects are so raw that they may not be able to see minutes on a team looking to compete for a playoff spot. Sure, Maluach might get some minutes here and there, especially on a back-to-back. Still, his inexperience and level of play make it challenging for a coach to give him consistent 15-20-minute playing time next season. If anything, the Raptors can get a veteran big man this summer to back up Poeltl, and that could mean more frequent trips to Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

That said, drafting Maluach likely won’t help the Raptors should they make it to the playoffs, and they are just one veteran big acquisition away from semi-permanently adding someone like Maluach to the Raptors 905. However, suppose the Raptors remain patient and develop him to get as close as possible to his best-case scenario. In that case, the Raptors could be looking at their starting center for the next decade.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/28...raft-watch-khaman-maluach-nba-prospect-rookie
 
5 Players the Toronto Tempo could realistically sign for 2026

WNBA: Dallas Wings at Atlanta Dream

Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

The Toronto Tempo will head into free agency next year with a ton of options to build their inaugural roster.

The Toronto Tempo are preparing to head into their first WNBA free agency at the end of 2025 and heading into 2026. It’s an intriguing year for two WNBA expansion franchises to be coming into the league — nearly 2⁄3 of the WNBA will be Unrestricted Free Agents after this current season is over. This is because of the timing of the WNBPA (Players’ Union) and the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expiring, and players wanting to be able to sign new contracts with the new CBA in mind. It’s also a bargaining tactic — players can say they just won’t sign if their needs aren’t met. With the boom of women’s basketball and a ton of money on the table, it would be terrible if the league had to delay their 2026 season.

Outside of all of that, the Toronto Tempo and the Unnamed Portland WNBA team will be in the mix in free agency. Similar to this past year, when the Golden State Valkyries prepared to enter the league, there will likely be an expansion draft ahead of free agency for the two new teams. With so many free agents, Toronto and Portland may not dip into the expansion draft as much, but it’s there for them to get an idea of the market.

From there, they will head into free agency in hopes of attracting some talent, and Toronto has the benefit of being the league’s first international team to help persuade players to come. Expect a lot of visits to show off Toronto’s allure as a home base, as many players like the idea of living in a vibrant, diverse city.

The Tempo are already making moves, announcing the hire of their General Manager, Monica Wright Rogers, earlier this year. Wright Rogers has experience with the Phoenix Mercury as their Assistant General Manager, and quite honestly, is just a pure hoops fan. Her experience of the game as a player, WNBA champion, and front office executive, paired with an absolute love of the game, makes her a great leader for this team. Players will want to come play for her here in Toronto.

This week, the Tempo also announced the hire of their Assistant General Manager and Senior Vice President of Basketball Strategy, Eli Horowitz. Horowitz served as Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Scouting and Analytics for the Los Angeles Sparks for seven years before this hire. Wright Rogers and Horowitz will be tasked with building this team amid a CBA negotiation, expansion draft, unprecedented free agency period, and the rapid growth of the WNBA.

There are a lot of factors to think about when predicting who Toronto could sign: Cap space, of course, but also the reputation of expansion franchises not being title contenders off the jump could deter some more high-level or veteran talent. The taxes issue that NBA players seem to be hot on right now might not be as much of a factor, given that WNBA players would be in Toronto for less time during the year. Still, it will be interesting to see who has an interest in coming to the league’s first international team.

With all of that being said, here are 5 players the Toronto Tempo could realistically sign in 2026:

Jordan Horston (G) - Seattle Storm​


Jordan Horston was drafted 9th overall to the Seattle Storm in the 2023 WNBA Draft, quickly becoming a solid role player for the team. Her contract is currently suspended this season as she recovers from an ACL reconstruction, but her timeline seems to match up with being able to play in 2026. If Horston is made available in the expansion draft, she is someone Toronto should absolutely look into.

At 6’2, Horston brings size and length as a guard, playing with solid physicality and an ability to get to the basket. In her rookie season, she got a ton of playing time given Seattle was in a rebuilding year, and was able to fast-track her development as a young player, earning herself an All-Rookie Team nod.

In 2024, Horston finished the WNBA season with a 94.4 defensive rating, in the 89th percentile league-wide. Her strength and size again help her as a defender, and with more minutes in Toronto, she has a high ceiling as a young player.

Laeticia Amihere (F) - Free Agent​


It seems a little inevitable that Toronto will make at least one Canadian signing, and Laeticia Amihere would be perfect. The long forward attended Golden State Valkyries training camp this season, scoring 20 points for the team in a preseason game before being shockingly cut from the team. The Valkyries had a particular vision for their roster, and despite Amihere certainly being good enough to be on the team, apparently did not fit the vision.

She is talented enough to be on a WNBA roster, though, and the Tempo would not only gain a solid player but an instant fan favourite. Amihere grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, before heading to South Carolina to play for Dawn Staley in college. She is a National Champion and was drafted No. 8 overall in the 2023 WNBA draft. She comes with both overseas experience, having played in Australia and also Olympic experience with Canada’s National Team.

Amihere is a player who brings energy when she steps on the floor. She can rebound, finish at the basket, and draw fouls, often quietly approaching a double-double when given enough minutes to get into rhythm.

Karlie Samuelson (G) - Minnesota Lynx​


Getting Karlie Samuelson up in Toronto would be a huge swing, but she would be an integral part of the team from the jump. After playing at Stanford, Samuelson jumped around the WNBA for years while also playing overseas, until she was finally signed to a guaranteed contract in 2024 with the Mystics. After one year in Washington, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, where she now serves as the team’s 6th woman.

Samuelson is a sharpshooter and brings a steadiness to her team thanks to her unique journey and plethora of experience. Toronto could bring her in as a leader to a likely younger team, giving her a big role on the roster. She is a free agent, and if Minnesota can’t afford to keep her along with their other stars under the new contract, Toronto could be an option to pay her well.

Rae Burrell (G) - Los Angeles Sparks​


Another potential big swing as a prospect, Rae Burrell would fit into Toronto extremely well if she were available. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Burrell spent her rookie season on and off the Sparks roster, but earned her place for 2023. She is developing into a great player who would benefit from the bigger role Toronto could give her.

With more playing time, Burrell could boost the offence of the Tempo, showing promise as a three-point shooter and defender. She is expected to have a big season in 2025 after playing extremely well at Unrivaled during the offseason, but a knee injury has her sidelined until mid-June at least. It will be great to see how she looks near the end of the season and into the offseason, but on paper is a great target for the Tempo.

DiJonai Carrington (G) - Dallas Wings​


You can’t tell me Carrington would not THRIVE in Toronto, just on a completely base non-basketball level. She gives city girlie 100%. Not only that, but she’s a great player and the 2024 Most Improved Award winner. A lockdown defender, Carrington’s ability to disrupt a team’s biggest perimeter threat is why she has earned a solid place in the league.

She finished 2024 with a 92.6 defensive rating, landing in the 93rd percentile league-wide. That earned her a starting role with Connecticut, and she is now adjusting to a new team in Dallas. Another player who would instantly become a huge part of Toronto’s system, the allure of Toronto Life, plus a leading role could bring a league favourite to the Tempo.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/5/30...-carrington-samuelson-burrell-horston-amihere
 
Every Championship team since 2019 has been constructed just like the Toronto Raptors were

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Now five years removed from the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship and nearing the sixth new championship team since then, it’s clear that every championship team of the 2020’s is similar to that 2019 squad.

As we approach the final chapter of the 2024-25 NBA season, we’re left with two teams vying for the championship. Two teams with nothing in common, or so it seems.

First, there is the Oklahoma City Thunder: defensive juggernaut, harassing the world’s best players into consistently off nights. Meanwhile, Indiana is led by a run-and-gun ball movement offence that no one has found a way to slow down over an entire series. Yet, despite the stylistic differences on the court, I see two teams with almost identical roster constructions.

Both teams prioritized depth over superstars, instead opting for a singular offensive engine with quality role players at their side. Nearly every champion this decade has opted for a similar roster construction.

Sound familiar, Raptor fans?

With each passing season, the elite teams of the NBA look more like the 2019 Raptors than the superteams of past generations. Gone are the days of the Mid-2010’s Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, or the Big Three-era Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.

Instead, title teams seem to be built in the image of Toronto’s lone championship team, and while I won’t be the first to declare that the superteam era is dead, the 2019 Toronto Raptors deserve more credit for shaping the future of NBA roster building.

That Raptors championship team was the first of its kind. The league was coming off a decade of “big threes” that began with the 2008 Celtics big three of Garnett/Pierce/Allen and culminated in the Durant/Curry/Klay/Draymond Warriors. Toronto had a superstar in Kawhi Leonard, but didn’t have a clear number two or three to be considered a big three.

Pascal Siakam was the secondary creator and scorer, averaging 19 points per game in the playoffs, but wasn’t considered a top-20 player by most experts, let alone a top-10 player and superstar. The third leading scorer was Kyle Lowry, who again wasn’t a superstar. Instead, offering elite defence, playmaking and tertiary scoring. Marc Gasol and Danny Green rounded out the starting five as high-quality role players, and the Raptors often used an 8-man rotation with Serge Ibaka, Fred Van Vleet and Norman Powell coming off the bench.

At the time, superteams were built around star talent in the starting lineup and hoping to find enough quality bench minutes to give the starters rest. The 2019 Philadelphia 76ers arguably had the best starting five in basketball, but were playing James Ennis and Mike Scott 38 minutes per game off the bench against the Raptors. What separated the Raptors was the fact that they had eight high-quality NBA players, all eight arguably being top-100 players in the league at the time.

Fast-forward to 2025, and our two finalists have followed the same model as the 2019 Raptors. The 2025 Thunder’s offensive engine is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with Jalen Williams as a quality second option who isn’t a Top-15 player. Chet Holmgren fills the Kyle Lowry role as a versatile third scoring option, while Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort are high-quality starters akin to Marc Gasol and Danny Green. And similar to the Raptors, the Thunder have a nine-man rotation with supercharged role players Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.

Similarly, the Pacers have Tyrese Haliburton as a superstar offensive hub, while Pascal Siakam is playing the same role for Indiana now that he played for the Raptors in 2019. Myles Turner is this team’s Kyle Lowry, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard are high-level starters, and Indiana, like the Raptors then, has one of the best three-man benches in the league with Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell.

Nearly every champion this decade has been built in a similar mould to the 2019 Raptors. Each team with a superstar, a secondary option, and a two-way versatile third scoring option and high-level starters alongside them. Listed out, it looks like:

Superstar and offensive engine (Kawhi Leonard):

2021 Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo

2022 Warriors: Stephen Curry

2023 Nuggets: Nikola Jokic

2024 Celtics: Jayson Tatum

High-level second option who isn’t a superstar (Pascal Siakam):

2021 Bucks: Khris Middleton

2022 Warriors: Klay Thompson

2023 Nuggets: Jamal Murray

2024 Celtics: Jaylen Brown^

Two-way third option (Kyle Lowry):

2021 Bucks: Jrue Holiday

2022 Warriors: Andrew Wiggins

2023 Nuggets: Aaron Gordon

2024 Celtics: Derrick White

Elite role-playing starters (Marc Gasol and Danny Green):

2021 Bucks: Brook Lopez and P.J. Tucker

2022 Warriors: Draymond Green and Kevon Looney

2023 Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

2024 Celtics: Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (when healthy)

Starter quality bench players:

2021 Bucks: Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton

2022 Warriors: Jordan Poole, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr.

2023 Nuggets: Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Christian Braun

2024 Celtics: Al Horford, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard

^ A case could be made that Jaylen Brown is a superstar player, but when comparing to past superteams, he is closer to the Pascal Siakam level of player than a 2016 Kyrie Irving or 2011-12 Dwyane Wade.

The lone championship team since the 2019 Raptors that doesn’t fit this mould is the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers, who never had a clear third scoring option and Anthony Davis certainly qualifies as a second superstar. However, that team also won during the COVID bubble after a long layoff, which is the all-time anomaly occurrence that we will (hopefully) never see again.

The league has firmly transitioned away from the superteam era into the weakest link era. Depth is more important than ever, even at the expense of elite second and third options. In the moment, the 2019 Raptors were seen as the lucky beneficiaries of a Kevin Durant injury that ended the superteam Warriors; however, with each passing year, it’s clear that the Raptors were trailblazers in roster construction and have quietly become the model for championship teams.

Kurt Cobain once said that when Nirvana wrote Smells Like Teen Spirit, he was “basically trying to rip off the Pixies” and that Surfer Rosa was one of his foremost musical influences. Surfer Rosa went Gold, selling 100,000+ copies and Smells Like Teen Spirit went diamond, selling 10,000,000+ copies. Sometimes in life, being the trailblazer doesn’t pay. For the Raptors, the 2019 team may get lost to history, while the teams they influenced go down as all-time greats – such is life. Let the record show, though: the 2019 Toronto Raptors shaped the current generation of roster building in the NBA.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/2/...acers-raptors-championship-kawhi-siakam-lowry
 
Listing everything I would give up for Giannis to come to Toronto

NBA: Playoffs-Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

As a Toronto Raptors fan, here is everything I would or wouldn’t give up to have the Greek Freak come play here.

Trade talks are too much about money, we need to start getting the fans involved. As a community, we need to be able to sacrifice stuff if we so choose to have a good basketball team. Logical, right? If I am willing to give it up, why shouldn’t it count?

The Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo have been paired together in various trade whispers over the past few weeks. Here is everything I am willing to personally sacrifice (or not) for the Greek Freak to come play for the Raptors.

What I am willing to give up for Giannis:​

  • 5 hot days of the summer: only if they are replaced with crisp spring days, where you need a hoodie but aren’t cold, you know?
  • 2-hour TTC free transfers: Good basketball requires sacrifice, and I rarely have the patience to take the TTC twice in two hours anyway.
  • Sneaking onto the GO Train or Streetcar: Look, I would pay for the GO Train more if 1) the service was better and 2) I was taking it to see Giannis every night.
  • King West: I feel like I don’t hit the level of attractiveness needed to be accepted by the King West faithful.
  • Cactus Club: I’ve never been there, anyway.
  • Shake Shack: LOOK, this is a huge personal sacrifice given we JUST got it here, but for Giannis...
  • The joy of hearing the knife-sharpening truck come down my street: Idk if this is too East-End specific or not, but I LOVE the knife-sharpening truck lol
  • The Dairy Queen on Broadview St.: it’s too tempting anyway.
  • Lining up for random stuff: Toronto loves to line up for free stuff, but I would gladly save my legs to cheer Giannis on in Jurassic Park instead.
  • The Well: I’m too poot for that place anyway.
  • Drake: Team DeMar, that’s all.

Things I WILL NOT give up for Giannis:​

  • The Patios that go into the street: Life-changing aspect to Toronto life.
  • Greektown: Giannis needs somewhere to eat, and I am willing to take him on a hop down the Danforth on a search for the best Gyro wrap.
  • Bike Lanes: I enjoy public infrastructure and a safe biking culture.
  • Shanghai 360: Feeding me on Raptors game days about 60% of the time. I don’t want to starve.
  • Thrift Stores: But we need to stop charging more than $20 for items, it’s getting egregious.
  • Being able to claim SGA as our own: Hamilton is the 905 and not the 416, but I will claim SGA every day for the rest of time. Close enough.
  • Drinking in public parks: It’s a vibe, and cheap. Sorry Giannis.
  • Uber Eats: I hate cooking, it’s really that simple.
  • The ice cream truck that’s always at the park (no matter what park): Nothing says summer like a post-run twist cone, and I will not give that up for you, Greek Freak.
  • Caribana: Gradey Dick would never recover and neither would I.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/4/24443088/giannis-toronto-raptors-trade-rumors-bucks
 
The Toronto Raptors are experiencing a chasmic shift in team culture

NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

As we step away from the “We The North” era and into whatever comes next, the most culturally diverse team in the NBA searches for its new identity.

The year 2014 was over a decade ago; that’s a long time. It’s also the year the Toronto Raptors unveiled their new identity for a new era. Embracing a new persona that was gritty, down to Earth, and unequivocally Canadian, summed up in three words:

We The North.


Under this new banner, Toronto saw epic highs and lows, culminating in the 2019 Championship over the Golden State Warriors and the joyous hoisting of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, forever cementing that team in the history books.

In the more than half-decade since, our franchise players have come and gone thrice over, in Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and Pascal Siakam. We have embraced a near-total rebuild around a set of younger players, missed the playoffs three years in a row, and have a team that is largely untested and unproven. The massive change in roster and lack of success (as of now) have, in my mind, marked the end of the “We The North” era, leaving Toronto’s team identity raw and undefined, a reflection of the numerous new players who now call Scotiabank Arena home court.

I can pinpoint the shift into a new era occurring during the 2023-24 NBA season, with the trading of O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam effectively severing the team’s last major connections to the 2019 Finals squad. Looking at the massive changes that have taken place in the past two years, conclusions can be drawn that point to the future of the Raptors’ identity. Stepping into a new era can result in a great deal of unease, but Toronto has laid out some groundwork upon which I think these pillars of being might end up resting on.

Making “Throwback” More Permanent​


The Raptors’ embracing their classic purple, honouring of franchise-great Vince Carter through city jerseys and a jersey retirement, as well as frequent throwback “Specialty Nights,” demonstrate that Toronto is looking through the archives for how best to step into this new era.

The Raptors have contrasted their star-studded past with their new young core in advertisements for the new jerseys, and seem to be aware of the “Purple Fever” that fans have clearly been afflicted with. Easing people into a new roster/era can be difficult, but the rebuild may be easier to swallow when chased with a swig of nostalgia. I hope the purple will stay, and year by year, the reliance on old stars to fade as the team makes the old colours its own.

The Embracement of Canada Basketball​


This has been a great year for Canada Basketball, with the nation’s crowning achievement being Toronto-born Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascent to true superstardom, as he’s captured the scoring title, MVP award, and leads the Thunder into the NBA Finals. Beyond Shai, this is a record-tying year for Canadians appearing in the NBA Finals.

However, even while out of the playoffs, RJ Barrett, the hometown kid for Toronto, is also of note. Having a local player on their local team can mean a lot for fan pride, and I think that an embrace of the young Canadian could be very healthy for the new culture the franchise is trying to establish. While RJ cut his teeth playing south of the border, a breakout season from him and the potential acquisition of another Canadian player could see the Raptors wholeheartedly embrace being “Canada’s Team.”

However, it’s not all love between the team and the hometown crowd, because I’m predicting...

A Step Back From OVO​


The “We The North” Era saw the Raptors become closely associated with Toronto rapper Drake, who, near the apex of his fame, became the team’s “global ambassador.” Drake’s gold OVO branding either directly featured or inspired alternate jerseys for more than half a decade.

Amidst Drake’s public feuding with former franchise player DeMar DeRozan and the 2024 suite of Raptors jerseys opting for purple alternates rather than gold, I think it’s safe to say that the franchise will be leaning further away from its public association with the controversial musician. While Drake’s impact on Toronto and relationship with the Raptors is all but certain to continue, the new era of Toronto basketball may see movement away from the millennial icon, with distance from one of the most enduring parts of the franchise’s 2010s identity.

Charging into a new era​


As the Raptors embrace “purple fever” with a new lineup, new look, and fight for a new standing in the league, nothing is certain. The 2025-26 season will be our first real look at the new team geared to compete. “We The North” is over, but to unfreeze from a static position, you need to break through the ice. With one of the most culturally prevalent teams in the NBA going through a shift in identity, this could be the start of a unique journey of self-discovery for the Raptors and their fans.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/3/24441809/toronto-raptors-we-the-north-era-barnes-barrett-kawhi
 
NBA Draft Prospect could end up being monumental chess move for Toronto Raptors front office

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament - Second Round - Seattle

Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The allure of Derik Queen’s offensive tools and late-game confidence makes him a fantastic prospect.

Maryland’s Derik Queen enters the 2025 NBA Draft as the most versatile big in this draft, with his array of moves and utility all over the floor. The Terrapin freshman showcased his skill-based game, which played a pivotal role in Maryland’s successful campaign, providing clutch moments throughout the season.

Queen finished his lone year at Maryland with 16.5 points, nine boards, and almost two assists in 36 games. His performance was enough to earn him a unanimous Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 1st Team All-Big Ten. He’s provided several clutch performances for Maryland, leading them to a 4th seed in their region and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen before falling short to the eventual champs, Florida Gators.

Queen’s draft stock was at an all-time high after that buzzer-beater against Colorado State, but questions about his height, position, shooting, defence, and conditioning/effort caused his draft stock to cool down. However, luckily for Queen, his NBA Draft Combine measurements saved his draft stock from plummeting even further after showing up with a decent 6’9.25” height without shoes and a 7’0.5” wingspan.

Mock Draft Range​

Best rank: 6 / Worst rank: 18​


(Per Hoopshype’s Aggregate Mock Draft 6.0)

Strengths​


It’s hard to find a “big” that can do what Derik Queen can do offensively. Skilled NBA bigs pose a matchup and scouting problem, allowing coaches to open up and be more creative with their playbooks.

Queen’s got an excellent handle, footwork, and an array of moves inside the arc, and along with his vision, projects as a multi-utility “big” that can do something with the ball almost anywhere on the floor, he can:

  • Initiate the fastbreak: Queen’s handle and court vision allow him to quickly pivot from securing the rebound to putting the ball on the floor to start the transition attack or make that hit-ahead outlet pass.
  • Run the floor: His handle, finishing, and mobility allow him to go coast-to-coast or run the transition as the play finisher.
  • Be a slasher: Queen’s got enough quickness and array of moves for him to play off-ball and catch the ball on the move going downhill.

Derik Queen #Maryland

Hit The Music. pic.twitter.com/JNDNNVkuMx

— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) May 1, 2025
  • ISO and face up from the perimeter: he’s not afraid to pull up with or without the dribble, step into a middy, or lull his defender and drive to the basket.
  • Park at the high post or low post: he can make plays on either block, whether to traditionally post up, drive to the basket, find his teammates, or pull up for a shot.
  • Be a passing threat at any given time: His good court vision, mapping, and quick recognition allow him to make split-second passes.
  • Pass or finish with either hand: he can go to the basket and lay it up with either hand or finish with a sweeping or baby hook going left or right.
  • Queen’s got counters: his excellent footwork, spin moves, and change of pace moves, along with his ambidextrous finishing, make it hard to predict what he’ll do with the ball.

One of my favourite aspects of Queen’s game is his stage presence. He’s shown time and again that he will rise to the challenge when the team needs someone to bail them out on several occasions. His late-game shot-making against Illinois and “ice in his veins” free-throw against Indiana was a treat to watch. It’s also worth noting that he came up with a clutch block against Illinois. Queen’s Big 10 performance vs Michigan was fun to watch, too, as he took over the game offensively in the second half en route to a 31-point career night. However, Queen’s forever etched in Terrapins lore with his buzzer-beater to lift Maryland to a 72-71 win over Colorado State. I love players who can say this in clutch moments:


"GIVE ME THE MF BALL." - Derik Queen@TerrapinHoops pic.twitter.com/TXmlLRw0nk

— SLAM University (@slam_university) March 24, 2025

Weakness​


Queen’s wide array of tools in his offensive “bag” should warrant high lottery considerations, right? That should be the case, but there are glaring issues that would make decision-makers think twice before picking him.

First is the defensive end. Unfortunately, Queen is incredibly gifted offensively, but the skills don’t extend past the offensive end. Queen is either subpar or non-existent in the traditional areas that you need from a big defensively: rim protection, pick-and-roll defence, help defence, and rebounding.

Queen is undersized as a center, with a slightly above-average wingspan, and his subpar athleticism hinders his projection as a center at the NBA level. Successful undersized NBA bigs typically have a massive wingspan and/or insane athleticism to compensate and thrive at the NBA level as a center, but he’s got neither. He could theoretically improve defensively with better conditioning — he would need to demonstrate increased energy and activity on the defensive end, complemented by good hand-eye coordination and a solid feel for the game, as evidenced by his ability to deflect or swipe the ball, provided his hands are up. It’s fun to see him pull off the “pulling the chair” method while defending post-ups, which would often lead to a bad possession with the player making a bad shot or getting blocked by Queen. He could be a decent positional and help defender at best.


Love the defensive IQ here from Derik Queen. Takes the initial bump from Wolf then pulls the chair on the second attempt to force the turnover.

Queen continues to show different avenues of defensive playmaking to bring value on that end pic.twitter.com/XPYJ0Mh52t

— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) March 7, 2025

Despite having good fluidity and a wide array of moves that Queen can pull off, his game is clearly at the “below the rim” level, which might scare NBA decision-makers. At the collegiate level, he’s typically one of the bigger guys on the floor, and his combination of size, strength, mobility, and skill set was good enough for him to be one of the better players this past season. However, Queen’s had issues finishing around the rim, as he lacked explosiveness, which was evident in his athletic and agility drills at the NBA Draft Combine.

Queen’s standing vertical of 23.5” and max vertical leap of 28” are both tied as the lowest in this NBA Draft Combine. It’s hard to find bigs that have had success in the NBA outside of Nikola Vucevic and DeMarcus Cousins, who are comparable to those numbers. The challenge for Queen here is, if he’s going to be on the “skilled big” route, he’ll need to polish his bag, on top of working on his body similar to undersized bigs like Kevin Love, who transition from playing center in college to a skilled PF at the NBA level.

Queen needs to step it up defensively — it’s not a good look when opposing teams hunt him, identifying him as the weakest link on Maryland’s defence. If he’s a negative defender, Queen would need to excel offensively, and he’ll need to be much more effective without the ball, as there are plenty of players that coaches would prefer to touch the ball more often than him.

I’m not too worried about Queen’s shooting; in fact, I believe it’s something that would improve at the NBA level. The shooting form is quite good, and his in-game shooting from mid-range and long-range, along with his free-throw clip, supports the notion that there’s an upside there.

Raptors Fit​


If there’s one takeaway from this current postseason, you can’t go wrong with adding another player who can provide more layers to the team’s offence. Derik Queen is a multiplier on the offence — his utility as a playmaker, hub, and finisher aligns with Coach Darko Rajakovic’s egalitarian offence.

Queen is an upgrade over Jonathan Mogbo, and there’s an alternate universe where you can see those two play together (Raptors 905?), although a Queen-Jakob Poeltl might be better. It’s not ideal on both pairings, but if Queen’s perimeter shot goes down at a decent clip, the pairings won’t look too bad.

It’s hard to see Queen outside of a bench role, even on the Raptors, as the starters are set, and I have some reservations about whether Queen can soak up starter minutes in the middle in case Poeltl misses time due to injuries. His defensive limitations would allow him to play center in spot-up minutes at best, but he can be a liability, especially when facing opposing teams’ starters. However, it’s interesting to see him on the floor on Scottie Barnes + bench lineups, which should include Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/3/...rik-queen-maryland-terrapins-best-chess-piece
 
Toronto stays winning no matter where this NBA Mega-Star ends up

Toronto Raptors v Milwaukee Bucks

Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images

Whether he goes West, stays in Milwaukee, or finds a new home in the East, the Raptors should come out as a winner in the Giannis sweepstakes.

The never-ending saga that is Giannis Antetokounmpo in a Toronto Raptors uniform has taken a new turn, inching one step closer to a Nico Harrison-Rob Pelinka-level interaction between Masai Ujiri and Jon Horst at Las Vegas Summer League.

In his latest mailbag, the Toronto Star’s Doug Smith stated there is mutual interest between the Raptors and Antetokounmpo.


Is Giannis the 'big fish?' https://t.co/1mvIbbGFyw pic.twitter.com/zGi2dwxZC1

— theScore (@theScore) June 2, 2025

Granted, he didn’t elaborate on the extent of the interest. Is Giannis interested like a love-struck, hopeless romantic? Or is he interested in the same way my high school crushes were interested in me.....as a friend?

Regardless of the interest level, the Raptors figure to prosper from the latest Giannis rumour mill. Let’s examine his options.

According to FanDuel’s latest odds (as of June 2, 2025), here are the betting favourites for Antetokounmpo’s next team:


While every team is likely calling Jon Horst and technically a plausible suitor in 3 or 4-team trade machinations, the top 4 teams listed above offer a fairly straightforward template in which to categorize the Giannis sweepstakes: Stay in Milwaukee, move out West, or stay in the (North)East.

Giannis staying put in Milwaukee is good for the Raptors​


We’ve done this song-and-dance before with Giannis. The rumour mill gets the trade-starved fans (myself included) in a tizzy with morsels of news that the Greek Freak may have one foot out the door. Why does this feel any more real than the previous instances?

Age and roster.

The Bucks were the second-oldest team last year behind the Los Angeles Clippers. They figure to be younger next season with Brook Lopez entering unrestricted free agency and Dame Lillard out for most, if not all, of next season. Kyle Kuzma is the only other Buck with a full guaranteed contract next season, which is scary for two reasons: 1) Kuzma, Dame, and Giannis are set to earn more than $130 million next season; 2) he’s Kyle Kuzma!

Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and Kevin Porter Jr. all have player options. AJ Green, Andre Jackson, Chris Livingston, and Tyler Smith are all on partially guaranteed contracts.

Milwaukee doesn’t have the cap space to make any significant additions in free agency and cannot build in this year’s draft because they don’t own their first-round pick (only the 47th pick in round two).

While the Bucks are the betting favourite and, as he has consistently proved, likely to be Giannis’ team after all is said and done, this is an incredibly unbalanced roster with one superstar and a collection of average-to-mediocre teammates.

From a Raptors perspective, the Bucks are one less team to worry about next season.

If Giannis goes West, the Raptors still win​


The lottery gods continue shining down on the San Antonio Spurs! By landing the 2nd pick, the Spurs may have been gifted the perfect piece to a trade package for Giannis.


Rumors around San Antonio continue heating up. @ShamsCharania reports the Spurs are expected to be aggressive in pursuing a star like Giannis, Kevin Durant, or another elite wing—to pair with a healthy Victor Wembanyama. #PorVida #Suns #fearthedeer
pic.twitter.com/73F8hx2jW5

— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) May 27, 2025

Not to be outdone, the Houston Rockets have a plethora of enticing pieces for a Giannis trade package — should they choose to enter the sweepstakes.

Both of those teams hit all the checkboxes for what Milwaukee would want in a deal: young prospects and many draft picks.

Regardless of which Texas team, or any West team, makes a deal with the Bucks, the Raptors prosper because that’s one less superstar in the East! With Jayson Tatum out for most of next season, Joel Embiid almost completing his transformation into Mr. Glass, and the Eastern Conference’s Finals representative sporting a regular season record that would not have been good enough to host a first round series in the West......the East is there for the taking!

Even if Giannis stays in the East, it will benefit Toronto​


Until Giannis is moved, no trade news cycle is complete without the inclusion of Heat Culture and Madison Square Garden. Brooklyn and their plethora of first-round picks and Boston with their growing payroll and closing championship window will surely enter the sweepstakes too.


Odds on the next star to land in Toronto:

Domantas Sabonis +500
Giannis Antetokounmpo +600
Zach LaVine +600
DeMar DeRozan +800
Jrue Holiday +900
Jamal Murray +1000
Lauri Markkanen +1400
Kevin Durant +1800
Jaren Jackson Jr. +2000
Devin Booker +2500
Ja Morant +3300
Nikola Jokic… https://t.co/SZNUIZP6Wo pic.twitter.com/xzuoXwcfdo

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 2, 2025

But let’s be real: if Giannis truly wants to stay in the East, the Raptors are the closest thing to an ideal trade partner with Milwaukee. No other East team checks all the boxes as closely as the Raptors do. Yes, there are multi-team iterations that can help other East suitors, but Toronto can explore those same options.

The Raptors have all their draft picks, including the 9th pick in this month’s draft, a stable of good, young prospects (Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, Ja’Kobe Walter) and large, moveable contracts (RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley). Houston may not enter the sweepstakes at all, while San Antonio’s package of Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle may not appeal to the Bucks as much as Toronto’s established pieces.

A Giannis-Scottie-Jak frontcourt would clog the paint, but Antetokounmpo’s arrival should open the gates to eligible free agents (read: outside shooters) wanting to join a contender.

Including Barnes in a potential Giannis trade may work out better when balancing the roster, since they are both long-armed, paint-driven forwards with limited outside shooting and need the ball in their hands. Trading Barnes would also fly in the face of everything Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have said about Scottie and his stature as the face of the Raptors’ next era.

But when you can get one of the five best players in the world, you do everything you can to make it happen. Just ask Rob Pelinka.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/2/24408026/giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-rumor-toronto-raptors
 
3 NBA Postseason Trends That Will Totally Change the 2025 Draft

NBA: Draft

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Looking at the playoff value of bench depth and what it means for draft day decisions.

The current NBA postseason is shaping up as a potential blueprint for the kind of players NBA team decision-makers will seek in the upcoming draft. The NBA Finals matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder showcases two distinct approaches to team construction. At the same time, the successes and failures of the other postseason teams highlight a few positive aspects to build on and a few shortcomings that GMs can address in the upcoming draft. From Two-Way versatility, depth, roster versatility, and prospects that can play when the lights are brightest, it’s not a surprise that the front offices are taking notes — and calibrating their draft boards accordingly.

Homegrown Depth Over Superteams​


Since Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors after losing to the Toronto Raptors in 2019, there have been several team-ups of high-profile stars. Brooklyn Nets’ Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden flopped. Sixers’ Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey were NBA All-Medical 1st Team this season. The Los Angeles Clippers’ iteration of Kawhi Leonard + Paul George or James Harden has been disappointing at best. Lebron James got a Bubble Chip after he teamed up with Anthony Davis in LA, but has underperformed since, prompting James to flip a refurbished Davis for a carb-loaded Luka Doncic, a pairing that also ended in a disappointing postseason run. The Phoenix Suns tried it with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, to no avail.

Since the Warriors superteam won their chip back in 2018, the Raptors, Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, (non-superteam) Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and Boston Celtics have won the chip, and now, one of the Indiana Pacers and the OKC Thunder will bring home Larry OB. All of these teams have constructed a roster where regular key contributions came not just from their main supporting cast but also from their bench.


Aaron Nesmith & Tyrese Halliburton voodoo magic but the Pacers don’t win this game without Andrew Nembhard in OT.

Clutch 3 down 4, exploiting mismatches, INCREDIBLE awareness, elite defending down the stretch. Just an elite ball player pic.twitter.com/pTdwO1t5Mh

— Ryan Hammer (@ryanhammer09) May 22, 2025

Teams like the Celtics, Nuggets, and Warriors leaned on developing their cornerstone players selected from the draft, but key contributors like Payton Pritchard and Jordan Poole were also homegrown. Looking at the current NBA Finals, 8 of the Thunder’s 12-deep postseason roster were homegrown, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, and Alex Caruso acquired via trade. On the other hand, five of the Pacers’ key players were acquired via trade. Still, they are also receiving key contributions from their homegrown talent, including Andrew Nembhard, Myles Turner, Ben Mathurin, and Ben Sheppard.

Outside of the consensus Top 10, prospects like Derik Queen, Collin Murray-Boyles, Jase Richardson, Nique Clifford, and Liam McNeeley appear to be “NBA-ready” and could be instant rotation players if they end up with the right team.

Old School vs New School Offense​


Part of the New York Knicks’ success and eventual downfall was their overreliance on Jalen Brunson. Former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s old-school approach to using Brunson made the Knicks’ offense predictable. Traditionally, we’re used to seeing the game slow down in the playoffs, with many play calls intended for star players to get to their sweet spot on the floor to ISO. Possessions and “minutes” are overly valued; often, the role players’ touches and minutes shrink if they do not disappear altogether.


Jalen Brunson’s usage under Tom Thibodeau was a legitimate concern, per @ramonashelburne

“One league source suggested history could serve as a warning precedent — that Brunson, who missed games this season because of ankle and calf injuries, would struggle to hold up long term… pic.twitter.com/FFSFbWNi5e

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 6, 2025

The last two teams standing have defied that logic, with both teams trusting the egalitarian offense that got them there:

  • A team with multiple playmakers at all times that can instantly switch as a play-finisher on any given possession
  • weaponized 5-man lineups, where every player on the floor is likely to touch the ball and a threat to score
  • break-neck pace that makes Steve Nash’s “7 seconds or less” Suns’ pace appear slow

Draft prospects like Flagg, Harper, Kon Kneuppel, VJ Edgecombe, Kasparas Jakucionis, Queen, and Tre Johnson can thrive in this type of offense (with a big emphasis on Jakucionis).

Bright Lights Merchants​


Some players rise to the occasion and tend to flip a switch when the lights are the brightest. While this is often attributed to the star players on the offensive side of the game, we’re starting to see more and more role players that are stepping up in the postseason. We’ve seen Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard make big shots this season, with the Pacers delivering perhaps the most clutch performance in history.


WALTER CLAYTON JR. ANSWERED THE CALL

30 PTS | 4 AST | 3 3PT

He showed up BIG in the clutch to help @GatorsMBK advance to the #MFinalFour #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/kyBRb5JXwP

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025

Who are the clutch players in this draft? We’ve seen Derik Queen’s game-winner, but he’s not the only one who’s had a few “bright lights merchant” highlights. There’s Cooper Flagg’s Elite Eight heroics vs Arizona. Jeremiah Fears’ freshman resume’s riddled with clutch performances, including a four-point play against Michigan. Kasparas Jakucionis has had a few, including a huge corner three against Wisconsin. Tre Johnson is another clutch performer — most notably a 22-point come-from-behind win against #13 Texas A&M that would make the Pacers proud. Johni Broome and Walter Clayton Jr.’s clutch shotmaking should get them drafted in the first round.

Some of these players probably won’t make it as the team’s “closer,” but these prospects have shown that they can deliver in the game’s crucial possessions. Having reps at the collegiate level gives the scouts something to work with that’s not purely theoretical, having demonstrated that they can be trusted with the ball in late-game situations. Also, the rise of the clutch role player is not limited to shotmaking. Jaden McDaniels, Alex Caruso, Nembhard, etc. have had moments in the postseason where they’ve made key defensive stops.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/9/24442466/toronto-raptors-draft-nba-2025-prospects-trends-lottery
 
Ignore this 3+D NBA Draft Prospect at your own risk

Oregon v Arizona

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

New on Raptors Draft Watch: In a league starving for 3-and-D wings, Carter Bryant brings both — and he’s only scratching the surface.

Marquee names typically dominate every draft cycle. These blue-chip prospects top the headlines, and getting them could be a franchise-altering moment. The cream-of-the-crop prospects have the following: viral mixtapes and box scores to support the oozing potential that talent evaluators associate with their take.

The Arizona Wildcats freshman’s mixtape will likely be shorter than a standard cartoon show episode, and perhaps a good chunk of that will show what he can do outside of scoring, and that’s why it’s easy to overlook a player like Carter Bryant.

Consider his freshman stats:

  • Games Played/Started: 37/5
  • Minutes: 19.3
  • Points: 6.5
  • FGA/M: 2.2/4.8
  • FG%: 46%
  • 3PA/M: 1.1/2.8
  • 3P%: 37.1%
  • Rebounds: 4.1
  • Assists: 1.0
  • Steals: 0.9
  • Blocks: 1
  • Fouls: 2.3

Arizona’s Carter Bryant’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:

6’6 ½ barefoot, 214.8 lbs with a 6’11 ¾" wingspan and 8’10” standing reach pic.twitter.com/wHJtB4S996

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 12, 2025

We can’t even call the numbers above “not flashy stats.” If anything, these are the numbers of someone who should probably consider going back to school for one more year and getting more reps under their belt. However, the winning teams in recent memory have usually had elite wing role players who can fit in anywhere, guard multiple positions, and knock down open shots, especially on the perimeter. At 6’8” with a 6’11” wingspan, armed with a solid fundamental base, motor, defensive instincts, and floor awareness, Carter Bryant could very well be an “Elite Role Player Wing Starter Pack.”

Mock Draft Range​

Best rank: 12 / Worst rank: 25​


(Per Hoopshype’s Aggregate Mock Draft 6.0)

The upside to Bryant as a prospect​


Bryant comes in as a low-maintenance role player wing who has a good understanding of the game and his role on the floor. It’s rare to see young prospects play hard and effectively on the defensive end when they don’t get touches on the offensive end. Bryant, on the other end, could go several plays without getting a shot up, but his commitment on the defensive end would not waiver.

Bryant’s size, length, and nearly NBA-ready body enhance his defensive versatility. He can guard shooting guards up to power forwards, and he might be able to hold his own when switched with point guards. Aside from his wingspan, he possesses solid defensive lateral quickness and a good feel for the game defensively, enabling him to make sound decisions, such as when to press tightly, give space, and play the angles while defending the ball. Off-ball, he plays the passing lanes well and makes the right reads on rotating, knowing when and how hard to rotate and close out if needed.

While Bryant hasn’t showcased much offensively, Bryant’s floor should be a “3+D Wing.” The fact that he has a nice, compact, and repeatable shooting form and shot 37% from the perimeter (albeit on a small sample size) bodes well for the possibility that he can be this type of player. At the bare minimum, you have a reliable 3+D wing that you don’t have to fix to teach how to shoot to earn the “3+D” designation. If that’s the only thing that Bryant could be, and peak as a starting level 3+D on a winning team, that by itself is a positive outcome for a mid-lottery selection.


Carter Bryant scoring tape.

37.1% from 3P (8.4 3PA/100) + 70.8% at the rim (1.42 PPP). pic.twitter.com/1xKkzftpXz

— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) June 6, 2025

However, the biggest wildcard here is whether Bryant develops a decent offensive package — Can he improve as a movement shooter? As a 3+D player, being able to provide more than spot-up shooting can be huge. Bryant’s already demonstrated that he can consistently cut to the basket and finish around the rim. Can he get better as an off-ball player-movement type play finisher? How about self-creation? While Bryant’s handle isn’t something that will consistently create an advantage for him at the NBA level (it was barely used and barely worked at the collegiate level), would tightening it and adding more self-creation tricks to his repertoire improve his offensive utility? Then, he can potentially provide secondary (bench lineups) or tertiary creation.

Bryant barely started, didn’t get a lot of touches, and was relegated to a role player during his freshman campaign despite being a top 20/30 player in high school. While he may have had a rocky start as a freshman, coach Tommy Lloyd knew that he needed Bryant on the floor when it mattered.

Things he needs to improve on​


Carter Bryant likely did not have the freshman season he had anticipated. He started his freshman campaign erratically — the unforced turnovers, shot selection, and defensive lapses early on probably earned him a short leash under coach Tommy Lloyd.

Bryant’s handle either gets him in trouble or doesn’t afford him enough separation or advantage to do something consistently. The handle, plus his subpar footwork, limits what he can do with the ball, and let’s not even talk about counters. The combination of the above makes him very predictable offensively, and understandably, Coach Lloyd shied away from asking him to create some offence. Bryant’s shooting could use some tweaking, as his slow shooting motion requires all the parameters to align perfectly for him to take and make perimeter shots. The closeouts are much more aggressive at the NBA level, and the defenders chasing him are longer and faster, so he would need to speed up that release on top of getting used to increasing the volume while maintaining efficiency.


So, @Aaron_Torres is on air RIGHT now - talking Carter Bryant and the NBA Draft Combine.

How much blame (if any) should Tommy Lloyd take for how this all played out?!

We're discussing... NOW https://t.co/nTh9Tjfp8c

— TorresOnArizona (@TorresOnArizona) May 15, 2025

At times, watching Bryant’s games at Arizona can be frustrating. He’s very passive offensively, especially as the season went on. I’m not sure if it’s by design that he’s just an accessory on the floor for certain play sets, or if he’s on a timeout, or if he’s worried about making a mistake, but it’s disappointing to see him not be more aggressive in quite a few pockets of the game.

For someone who played as a role player in Arizona, there were times when Bryant was getting beaten by opposing players on 50/50 balls, whether it was to finish a defensive possession, crash the boards, box out, or grab an offensive rebound or a putback. It remains to be seen whether this is simply a matter of processing, slow reaction time, or inconsistent effort, but this aspect of his game rears its ugly head, especially on the offensive end.

There may also be an aspect of “your character is your destiny” here. Maybe it’s not just in Bryant’s nature to be aggressive, and he’s fine being a low-usage role player. There’s nothing wrong with that, but that limits his upside despite being a solid “Wing Starter Pack.”

Bryant’s fit with the Toronto Raptors​


In a vacuum, it’s a “choose your own adventure” in terms of what Carter Bryant could be. I mentioned above that he’s an “Elite Role Player Wing Starter Pack,” and that could be an understatement. His best-case scenario could be a Khris Middleton-type wing, or he could be a Jaden McDaniels-type, who’s a little bit more of a low-usage player on the offensive end. It’ll come down to where Bryant ends up and how he sees himself developing in the NBA.

There are always plenty of roster spots for 3+D role players, and Carter Bryant’s ability (or “comfortability”) in settling at the 5th Beatle on the offense makes him a seamless fit. The team already has too many players who would often want to “massage the ball” — Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes will likely get the lion’s share of the ball for most of the game. Bryant’s ability to defend multiple positions makes him an upgrade over someone like Jamison Battle. If coach Rajakovic needs more length and defense, he’s an instant upgrade over Gradey Dick.


Arizona's Carter Bryant has the makings of the big complementary wing all 30 NBA teams covet. Terrific physical tools, spot-up shooting, baseline feel, and valuable defensive versatility. pic.twitter.com/B0ZkY1B1cn

— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) February 11, 2025

On coach Rajakovic’s ball and player-movement-happy offense, Bryant might get more touches, if not more opportunities per possession, compared to how Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd treated him. Make no mistake — Lloyd’s mandate is to win, and he’ll play the players that he trusts more. On the other hand, one of the reasons Rajakovic was brought in was for player development purposes. Rajakovic will ensure that Bryant gets to smile and receives the assuring hug and pat on the shoulder or back whenever necessary.

However, the Toronto Raptors’ “goal post” has moved significantly over the past few months; who knows if the team’s roster will remain as is or if the team will end up trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo and/or Kevin Durant. Regardless, it remains to be seen if coach Rajakovic will still be able to give someone that long of a leash to learn and make mistakes, especially if he’s pressed to win a game. Fortunately, if Carter Bryant can excel at the same role as he did in Arizona in limited minutes, he can break into any team’s rotation.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/13/24445966/toronto-raptors-draft-watch-carter-bryant-nba-arizona
 
Toronto Raptors mentioned in Superstar Trade Talks

NBA: Phoenix Suns at Toronto Raptors

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

With one year left on his deal and no promises, Kevin Durant could be Masai Ujiri’s next high-risk, high-reward move, just like Kawhi Leonard in 2018.

Jake Fischer’s Saturday Stein Line piece tackled the Phoenix Suns aggressively shopping Kevin Durant, and mentions Toronto’s name far too many times for it to be just a rumour. If anything, the Raptors’ interest in Durant’s services is legitimate. However, it remains to be seen whether they are a long shot or a dark horse to land 15-time NBA All-Star Durant.


Fischer just wrote on The Stein Line that KD is in the process of being traded — Houston, San Antonio, Toronto and the Clippers are mentioned, but apparently Miami and Minnesota are coming up more

Personally, I hope Toronto passes on KD right now. Not worth the cost. Thoughts?

— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) June 14, 2025

This isn’t the first rodeo for Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster when it comes to taking a gamble on a superstar on an expiring contract. Their 2018 trade for Kawhi Leonard turned into a historic one-year fling that resulted in Toronto’s first NBA championship. Can history repeat itself with Durant?

Would Durant be worth the risk?​


The parallels are there — KD is a distressed superstar, but unlike Kawhi, he’s an aging (but still elite) forward. There is also the significant risk of having no long-term commitment to extend past next season.


Kevin Durant reportedly prefers a trade to San Antonio, per @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/iOSxGcmNTQ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2025

Durant’s contract has only one year left, worth approximately $50 million. There’s no indication he’s interested in extending his stay wherever he lands, let alone committing to a new market like Toronto. Trading premium assets for what may be a one-season rental would require significant faith from Raptors brass that Durant’s addition will propel this team into a legit title contender.

The Price for Durant may be too high​


Any potential trade between the Suns and Rockets for Kevin Durant would likely include Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., per @Gambo987 (https://t.co/VC1AHRVjaw).

Durant’s preference appears to be landing in Texas with either Houston or the Spurs. pic.twitter.com/xJpIFII1DB

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 13, 2025

The Phoenix Suns are not looking to rebuild — they want win-now assets in return for Durant, which works well for the Raptors. Per Fischer, Phoenix reportedly wanted to retool around Devin Booker instead of taking a step back, and the Raptors have several rotational pieces that can help with salary matching. Two of Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram are potential trade centrepieces to make salary matching work easily. I know it’s Durant, but given where he’s at in his stage of his career, it’s a bit too much if you have to include one of Gradey Dick or Jakobe Walter on top of the names above.

However, the price becomes even steeper if the Raptors have to include multiple 1st-round picks, including the 9th pick in this upcoming draft, let alone including Scottie Barnes in trade discussions.

Durant doesn’t seem to fit the Raptors' current goals​


The Suns could be just trying to start a bidding war to get the best return for Durant. At 37 years old, he’s no longer the same Slim Reaper that spooked the Raptors fanbase back in the 2019 Finals.


The Raptors are willing to “gamble” on a Kevin Durant trade, per @TheSteinLine

“There are teams out there that are saying, we know he’s only under contract for 1 more year at about $55 million. We’re willing to gamble on him. Toronto is one of those teams.”

(h/t @AmicoHoops) pic.twitter.com/nYEhR1ZIIS

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 14, 2025

Does it matter whether Durant prefers elsewhere? It’s a factor, but it hasn’t stopped the Raptors from taking that gamble. If anything, if Durant can help bring another chip to the city, Toronto’s one of those teams that will put him on a pedestal even if he doesn’t stay — heck, he may even get a statue or a jersey retirement as a thank you. Or, at the very least, he can wine and dine for free in Toronto.

The Raptors are lurking — calculating, listening, maybe even preparing. But right now, Masai and Bobby remain in the shadows of this superstar sweepstakes, which is fine — their M.O. is that they’re the team nobody talks about until it’s too late. Just like they were in 2018, and with the Brandon Ingram trade.

Additionally, a Durant trade will result in another one of those situations where the Raptors’ front office gets caught speaking from both sides of its mouth, as we are just a year or two removed from “getting younger” and “rebuilding.”

The question is: will history repeat itself, or is this one superstar saga the Raptors are better off watching from afar? Unless Masai Ujiri is willing to overpay, Toronto remains more of a long shot than a dark horse.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/14/24449353/toronto-raptors-kevin-durant-trade-talks-stein-fischer
 
Raptors’ No. 9 pick ‘most likely to be traded’ per Stein

NBA: Toronto Raptors-Media Day

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

As we inch closer to a potential Kevin Durant deal, Stein seems to think the Raptors are willing to give up their lottery pick.

Let’s cut to the chase here — The Toronto Raptors seem like they may be on the brink of being involved in another big trade. The news that the Phoenix Suns were keen on moving Durant in the final year of his current deal did not shock many, given how disappointing their 2024-25 season was. Toronto’s involvement in the talks regarding Durant has not been shocking either, given Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster’s tendency to try to wiggle themselves into these big trades in various ways.

The latest on The Stein Line had one intriguing point about the Raptors, though. Jake Fischer, or “The People’s Insider” as he is called, said Monday that out of all teams with a lottery pick in the upcoming draft, Toronto seems like the most likely to trade their No. 9 pick. We all know the hopes were to get a better pick, especially since Toronto had the 7th-best odds and they ended up with the No. 9 pick, but it’s also clear the team wants to compete as early as next season. That was clear once the team made the swing to get Brandon Ingram traded to Toronto from New Orleans.

Whether you agree or not that Durant makes them a contender in a weak Eastern Conference, Fischer has reason to believe that the Raptors may try and persuade Phoenix to trade for KD. The price would include that No. 9 pick as well as potentially RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, or Jakob Poeltl — the latter especially if it’s Durant the team is getting in return.

Yet the hurdle in that may be Durant himself, who has named teams such as San Antonio, Houston, Miami, and maybe even the Minnesota Timberwolves as preferred landing spots. Factors like a lack of income tax in these locations, plus the bargaining tactic of saying he won’t re-sign anywhere else in a year, may factor into his preferences. Toronto could certainly still make the move regardless, but they risk 1) Durant refusing to come here, and 2) dealing away that much just for one year of mid-thirties KD only for him to leave after one season.

Fischer seems to think the Raptors could opt to trade down in the first round rather than trade out (aka, into the second round), which again isn’t shocking. Ujiri and Webster pride themselves on their scouting abilities, finding unique talent in the later picks. Last year’s rookies (Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamieson Battle, especially) prove that.

There is also the possibility that Toronto involves itself in the eventual Durant deal as a third (maybe fourth) team, to help other teams facilitate under salary cap restrictions. In that scenario, Toronto could get their hands on another pick, a role player, or let go of some contracted money to help them make another move.

Regardless, it seems like something is cooking for the Raptors ahead of the NBA Draft.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/16...e-kevin-durant-phoenix-barrett-poeltl-quickly
 
The Toronto Raptors have a lot of options this offseason

NBA: Toronto Raptors-Media Day

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

As the team gets mentioned in various trade rumors, the Raptors actually have a few paths they could take this summer.

The Toronto Raptors are in a very awkward position this offseason. They’ve missed the playoffs the last three seasons but have a payroll that’s larger than half of the teams that did make the playoffs this season, including the two teams currently in the NBA Finals. And unlike other high-salaried lottery teams like Washington or Brooklyn, the Raptors don’t have a bunch of expiring contracts or bad contracts they’ve taken on for extra draft picks.

The Raptors also aren’t built like most of the playoff teams (and most contenders over the last 40 years). Ideally, a team hoping to contend (or eventually contend) would be constructed like a pyramid.

On top, you’ve got a superstar (perennial All-NBA player), followed by an All-Star calibre player or two on the next level. Under that, 2-3 solid starting calibre players, 3-4 good bench players and then several decent bench players who can step in periodically when there are injuries. Hopefully, those players would be paid accordingly, with a number of them on either rookie or close to minimum contracts.

This is how most Championship teams, including the Raptors when they won their title, are built. Take a look at the example below:

Kawhi Leonard
Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam*
Marc Gasol, Danny Green, Serge Ibaka
Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby

*Siakam was not an All-Star yet, but played at an All-Star level during the playoffs and made the All-Star team — and All-NBA 3rd team — the next season.

They had a great salary structure in 2019, too. Only Kawhi, Lowry, Gasol and Serge had the large contracts (Siakam was still on his rookie contract) and were the only ones above league average, with three of those contracts expiring.

Flash forward to today, and this is how the current Toronto Raptors roster is constructed:

?
Scottie Barnes
Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickly, Jakob Poeltl
Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Chris Boucher

Several other players have the potential to be decent to good players, but at this point, they would not get minutes on a real contending NBA team.

The most glaring thing about this Raptors roster is the lack of a superstar on the team. Although the hope is that Scottie Barnes will eventually become one (especially since he is now being paid like one), at this point, it’s hard even to call him an All-Star. He only made one All-Star team, and it was as an injury replacement, but it still counts, regardless.

Brandon Ingram made one All-Star team, but that was six years ago. He’s now coming off an injury that kept him out most of last season, so while he has the potential to regain his All-Star form, at this point, he’s simply a solid starter.

Salary-wise, the Raptors have five players making well above average, with Barnes and Ingram both making close to $40 million this season. And they are just under the luxury tax. Keep in mind, this is a team that didn’t even make the playoffs.

The big problem with the roster is that it’s middle-heavy, talent-wise. Yet, it’s loaded with players who work best with the ball in their hands. Barnes, Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and even Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter’s strength is creating for themselves and others, not playing off others. On a recent podcast, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie said something on his recent Game Theory podcast that might cause some hand-wringing among Raptors fans. When discussing the Desmond Bane trade, he surmised that Bane was worth as much as he got on the trade market because of his ability to play off the ball, and that non-elite on-ball creators have less value in today’s NBA. And that would describe most of the Raptors' roster. He even mentions Brandon Ingram.

Whether this is the vision Masai had in mind or whether he’s just collecting assets to be used down the road is unclear.

I’ve outlined some of the options the Raptors have, and whether or not I think they are viable. Stay tuned for part 2 of this series.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/16/24448640/toronto-raptors-trade-nba-rumor-durant-giannis
 
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