The Toronto Raptors are in the midst of a rebuild after trading away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby last season. They finished with a disappointing 25-57 record, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference. With a young core centered around Scottie Barnes and several key additions through trades, the Raptors are continuing to rebuild while looking to develop their young talent. Although they may not be immediate contenders, they could make strides toward becoming a competitive team in the future.
Here’s a breakdown of their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.
Point Guard (PG)
Starter: Immanuel Quickley
Reserves: Davion Mitchell, Jamal Shead, DJ Carton
Immanuel Quickley arrived in the trade that sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, and he has blossomed in his role with the Raptors. Quickley averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting 42.2% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range. The Raptors are hopeful that Quickley can develop into a player similar to Tyrese Maxey, showing flashes of potential as a scoring guard who can also facilitate the offense.
Davion Mitchell provides solid defensive intensity off the bench, and Jamal Shead and DJ Carton round out the point guard rotation, competing for minutes.
Shooting Guard (SG)
Starter: RJ Barrett
Reserves: Bruce Brown, Garrett Temple, Jared Rhoden
RJ Barrett , who was also part of the Knicks trade, has thrived in Toronto since his arrival. Last season, Barrett averaged 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting an impressive 55.3% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range. He has embraced a larger role with the Raptors, becoming one of the team's key scoring options.
Bruce Brown, a versatile and coveted player by many teams, provides depth and valuable experience off the bench. If the Raptors continue to rebuild, Brown could potentially be moved for additional trade assets during the season.
Small Forward (SF)
Starter: Scottie Barnes
Reserves: Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, Jahmi'us Ramsey
Scottie Barnes is the centerpiece of the Raptors' rebuild and recently signed a $224 million contract extension, solidifying his status as the franchise's cornerstone. Barnes had a stellar season, averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field and 34.1% from three-point range. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor as a playmaker, defender, and rebounder makes him a foundational piece for the team's future.
Gradey Dick, last season's lottery pick, showed promise with his shooting and scoring ability. He will provide additional depth and scoring off the bench, while Ja'Kobe Walter and Jahmi'us Ramsey will look to carve out roles in the rotation.
Power Forward (PF)
Starter: Kelly Olynyk
Reserves: Ochai Agbaji, Jonathan Mogbo, Ulrich Chomche, Jamison Battle
Kelly Olynyk, who was acquired from the Utah Jazz, had a productive season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. Olynyk provides a veteran presence and valuable floor spacing for the Raptors with his ability to shoot from the perimeter. While Olynyk may not be part of the Raptors' long-term plans, his versatility and experience will be helpful for the team's younger players.
Ochai Agbaji, a young forward with potential, will look to develop his game behind Olynyk, while Jonathan Mogbo, Ulrich Chomche, and Jamison Battle add depth at the power forward position.
Center (C)
Starter: Jakob Poeltl
Reserves: Chris Boucher, Bruno Fernando, Branden Carlson
Jakob Poeltl is the Raptors' starting center and continues to be a steady presence in the paint. Poeltl averaged 11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 65.6% from the field. His ability to protect the rim, rebound, and finish efficiently around the basket makes him an integral part of the team’s frontcourt. Poeltl will serve as an anchor on defense as the Raptors work on developing their young core.
Chris Boucher provides energy and shot-blocking off the bench, while Bruno Fernando and rookie Branden Carlson offer additional size and depth at the center position.
The Toronto Raptors are still very much in a rebuilding phase, but they have some intriguing young pieces to build around. Scottie Barnes continues to be the franchise’s cornerstone, and with his recent extension, the team is committed to developing him into a superstar. The addition of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett provides the team with talented guards who can grow alongside Barnes. Kelly Olynyk and Jakob Poeltl offer veteran stability, while Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji are young players who could develop into important contributors.
The Raptors are likely to continue focusing on player development and building through the draft, with an eye toward accumulating more assets and cap flexibility. With Bruce Brown as a valuable trade piece and potential future moves, the team could look to acquire more draft picks or young talent to accelerate their rebuild.
While a push for the play-in tournament is possible, it’s more likely that the Raptors will continue to prioritize long-term growth this season. Darko Rajakovic, entering his second season as head coach, will look to foster a competitive environment while focusing on developing the team’s young core. The Raptors may not contend for the playoffs this year, but their rebuild is headed in the right direction with a solid foundation in place.
Here are all the projected lineups we've done so far:
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Related: NBA Rumors: 5 Best Trade Targets For The Toronto Raptors
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