The Toronto Raptors have been in a state of limbo since their 2019 NBA championship. After that historic season, the team has struggled to reach those same heights.
Much of their core has moved on, and the franchise is now navigating a new path. Last season, the Raptors fully committed to the future, leading to trades involving Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
While there’s still plenty for Toronto to figure out, there’s reason for optimism heading into next season. The Raptors boast a mix of young talent and established players.
With a solid group of role players and potential stars, Toronto could put together a respectable season with room to grow in the future. So, what does the 2024-25 season look like for the Raptors?
Gradey Dick in the Most Improved Player Race
The Raptors are placing a lot of hope in Gradey Dick. The 2024 rookie had a solid, if unspectacular, first season in Toronto. Over 60 games, he averaged 8.5 points per game while bringing high energy to the floor.
Though his playing time was limited, his hustle and defensive intensity were hard to ignore. Additionally, his 3-point shooting, a skill many believed had great potential, showed promise. Dick shot 36.5% from beyond the arc during the season, a respectable mark with room for improvement.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Toronto Raptors Updates
Dick’s development will be one of the under-the-radar storylines to watch. While he may not reach All-Star levels, he can carve out a valuable role as a 3-and-D wing, a highly coveted asset in today’s NBA.
With more opportunities in the rotation, expect Dick to generate some Most Improved Player buzz this season.
RJ Barrett Emerges as the Second Star
A key storyline for the Raptors is the rise of RJ Barrett. The Canadian forward arrived in Toronto amid significant fanfare, coming over in a trade for OG Anunoby, alongside Immanuel Quickley.
Barrett played some of the best basketball of his career in the final stretch of last season, showing improved decisiveness and becoming a legitimate three-level scorer while maintaining his strong defensive play.
Barrett’s strong form carried over to the Paris Olympics, where he was arguably Team Canada’s best player, despite the presence of All-Stars like Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Toronto Raptors Updates
Raptors fans will be expecting Barrett to continue this trajectory and establish himself as the second star alongside Scottie Barnes. With Barnes already solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone, Barrett’s emergence could give Toronto a formidable duo.
A Push for the Playoffs
There’s a sense of optimism in Toronto for the upcoming season. The Raptors already have solid play at point guard with Immanuel Quickley and at center with Jakob Poeltl. The team’s depth is poised to improve with the development of Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett.
What was once a one-star show is evolving into a team with two potential franchise pieces and a supporting cast of quality role players.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Toronto Raptors Updates
With Dick, Bruce Brown, and others contributing, the Raptors have the talent to make a playoff push. It will be up to head coach Darko Rajaković to find the right rotations and schemes. But with the team’s upward trend, expect Toronto to reinsert itself into the postseason conversation.
As a projected 6th or 7th seed, the Raptors should either qualify directly for the playoffs or through the Play-In Tournament.
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