Toronto Raptors Season Preview 2023-24

The Toronto Raptors home opener tips off on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the 2023/24 Toronto Raptors enter the game following an undefeated and very entertaining pre-season campaign. The Raptors have been stomping all over their opponents with three of their four victories being definitive landslides. There’s no doubt to Raptors faithful, this team has looked impressive. Hold on, let’s not clear the way for a championship parade just yet. Without a Stephen Curry or a Greek Freak type trade, title contention is likely a distant dream. In this city, championship aspirations currently rest on the shoulders of the Maple Leafs and we all know how that song ends.

The Last Few Seasons

The Toronto Raptors have navigated a few lackluster seasons. Last year, they succumbed to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament, preceded by a first-round exit the season before, and a complete playoff miss three years back. With the team’s performance in question, many fans speculated that a rebuilding phase was on the horizon. Surprisingly, the Raptors have opted to stand their ground, placing their faith in the current core of players to rekindle their competitive spirit.

Nurse Out, Rajakovic In

In a significant move, the Raptors parted ways with their long serving head coach, Nick Nurse, welcoming Darko Rajakovic to lead the charge. Rajakovic, formerly an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies, brings fresh insights to the table, particularly in player development—a skill set that could reshape the team’s trajectory.

130 Million Reasons To Leave

It’s no surprise that Fred VanVleet held a special place in the hearts of Toronto fans, having played an instrumental role in the championship win and forming a cornerstone of the team for several years. However, one of the Raptors’ smartest moves in the offseason was the decision not to extend his contract. His field goal percentage for the 2022-2023 season was a dismal 39.3%, placing him near the bottom of the league in that category. His often questionable decision making and overly ambitious shot attempts made for a frustrating viewing experience last season.

Moreover, VanVleet inked a hefty deal with the Houston Rockets, committing him to a substantial sum of nearly $130 million over the next three seasons.

Dennis Schroder

International basketball competition holds immense significance for countries outside of the United States and Dennis Schröder played a pivotal role in leading Germany to an unprecedented World Cup final victory. With a roster boasting remarkable frontcourt depth and talent and World Cup MVP Schröder anchoring the backcourt, Germany showcased tenacious point of attack defense and a surplus of playmaking abilities, averaging an impressive 6 assists per game. Much of Germany’s offensive strategy revolved around Schröder’s adept penetration into the paint, which contributed substantially to their scoring, culminating in a remarkable 28 points during the final showdown.

Among the athletes who advanced deep into the tournament, participating in 7 or 8 games rather than the typical 5, Schröder emerged as the third highest scorer. Despite being part of a scoring cohort that included NBA luminaries (with Bogdanović tying for 3rd, Edwards ranking 4th, and Barrett coming in 6th), Schröder carved out a unique path. While he may have trailed behind Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in terms of efficiency and overall impact, Schröder stood out as the sole player in this elite group who steered his team to an undefeated record and World Cup glory. The mentioned players encompass a spectrum, ranging from upper-tier role players (like Bogdanović) to MVP contenders (Dončić and Gilgeous-Alexander). Notably, the Toronto Raptors’ newest guard and MVP achieved these feats with a modest mid-level exception contract.

NBA experience

The reality is Schroder’s extensive NBA experience spanning almost 700 games has already established the narrative of his effectiveness on the court and his impressive FIBA journey, while admirable, doesn’t introduce any groundbreaking revelations. An illustration of this is Ricky Rubio’s World Cup MVP achievement in 2019, which, despite his standout performance, failed to reshape the fortunes of the Suns during the 2019-20 season. The same holds for Schroder, as his World Cup excellence isn’t expected to drastically transform his game. However, it’s vital to acknowledge Schroder’s remarkable contributions, his role as a basketball icon in Germany, and the heights he led his national team to—an achievement that currently captures the imagination of Canadian basketball enthusiasts. It’s an absolutely incredible performance deserving of hearty congratulations to Dennis.

Scottie Barnes, The Next Superstar?

When the Toronto Raptors made Scottie Barnes the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, it ignited a wave of discontent and skepticism among the passionate “We The North” fanbase. However, Barnes swiftly silenced the doubters, making an immediate impact by averaging just over 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, culminating in his well-deserved “Rookie of The Year” accolade. Nevertheless, the following season witnessed Barnes hit a plateau, with a slight regression in key statistical categories, including field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and rebounds per game.

During the Raptors’ Summer League opener against the Bulls, Darko Rajakovic, known for his player development expertise, expressed his hopes for a breakout year from Barnes. Rajakovic’s offensive philosophy, emphasizing quick decision-making (the “0.5” offense), revolves around ball movement, reducing turnovers, and playing at a swift tempo. Barnes, with his knack for playmaking and a high basketball IQ, is poised to assume a central role in Rajakovic’s offense for the upcoming season.

“Scottie is so talented that the team can be built around him, and we will do that,” Rajakovic affirmed, as reported by Basketball Sphere, and translated by Eurohoops.

With his coach’s vote of confidence, Barnes faces a compelling financial incentive to showcase his versatile skills this year. The extension eligibility arises after the 2023-2024 season, and Barnes has his sights set on the designated rookie max extension, which amounts to 25 percent of the salary cap. As the salary cap escalates annually, the figure could reach astronomical proportions. While the extension doesn’t have to be the maximum available, an early leap forward would mutually benefit both the Raptors and Barnes.

The Roster

The Raptors’ roster features three standout players in a sea of uncertainties. As discussed, Scotty Barnes, entering his third year, is ready for a breakout season. Pascal Siakam, a proven veteran, has the potential to elevate any team to instant contention with his versatile game and O.G. Anunoby, a defensive linchpin, is a prized asset for his lockdown defense and occasional offensive prowess.

The supporting cast, though, leaves much to be desired. Precious Achiuwa, is average at best, and Yakov Pertil, the big man with flair, doesn’t seem set to dominate in the paint. Off the bench, Gary Trent Jr.’s hefty paycheck raises eyebrows, but his role on any other squad isn’t that of a starter or even a primary bench option.

So, what’s the Raptors’ game plan this season? Instead of tanking last season and missing out on the Victor Wembanyama lottery, they were eliminated very quickly during the play-in round. The 905’s bench strength might offer hope, but there’s no budding superstar in the Raptors’ ranks. With a handful of excellent players and a steep talent drop-off, a championship is not within immediate reach.

To reignite contention, President Masi Juri and GM Bobby Webster must orchestrate a blockbuster trade or work their magic to lure a marquee free agent who sees Toronto as the ultimate destination. With six months of snow and sky-high income taxes that seems to be a hard sell. Not to mention there’s no ESPN. That alone has NBA free-agents looking elsewhere.

This is not the Raptors of the Lowry and DeRozan era, nor does it resemble the championship squad featuring Kawhi flanked by seasoned vets and rising stars. Playoffs are a hopeful horizon, but highly unlikely.

As the trade deadline looms, expect the Raptors to make deals. Fingers crossed for big names heading to the six, setting the stage for a bold resurgence. Meanwhile, let’s hope that our Raptors pick up where they left off in the preseason!

Season Opener

The Raptors will start the regular season at home for the 12th straight season and 23rd time in team history. Sportsnet has the season opener Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 pm against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto’s road debut is set for Friday, Oct. 27 at Chicago.

by Myles Shane

images by Toronto Raptors media releases and @raptors Instagram posts

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