In Toronto, the hopes are high for Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett as they aim to lead the Raptors back into the mix in the Eastern Conference.
Last season ended in disappointment for the Raptors, as they finished with a dismal 2-19 record down the stretch. This marked another step in the decline of the team since their championship win in 2019. Despite a key midseason trade that brought in Barrett and Quickley from the Knicks, the Raptors still found themselves heading to the Draft lottery. The departure of Pascal Siakam in a trade to the Pacers further dismantled the core of the 2019 championship team.
The offseason brought about questions for the Raptors as they navigated through a period of transition and self-discovery. The team faced the decision of whether to continue treading the path of mediocrity or to undergo a complete rebuild.
One of the major moves made by the Raptors was securing the futures of Barrett, Quickley, and Barnes. Barnes signed a reported five-year, $225 million deal, Quickley agreed to a reported five-year, $175 million extension, and Barrett inked a rookie extension to keep him with the team through 2026.
The spotlight shines on Quickley, who showed promise as a potential NBA starter during his time with the Knicks. The Raptors acquired him in a deal last December and committed to him with a contract extension in the offseason. The question now is whether Quickley will thrive as a true point guard or if he is better suited to play off the ball.
As the upcoming season looms, the big question surrounding the Raptors is how far they can go with their young core of Barnes, Quickley, and Barrett leading the charge. Toronto will be looking to make a statement and reestablish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the East.
