The Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship title was a revolutionary achievement in various ways. Throughout the franchise’s 30-year history, several Raptors teams have brought playoff basketball to Toronto, North America’s fourth-largest city. The Raptors made the Eastern Conference Semifinals twice, in the back-to-back seasons of 2017 and 2018, only to have run into a wall by way of Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The dynamics of the Eastern Conference shifted before the 2018-2019 season, with Lebron again leaving Cleveland for a preferred destination of his choice. King James’ landing spot would be the Los Angeles Lakers. Raptors fans began to beam with excitement and anticipation with that news, as it could have meant their pathway to the finals was far less obstructed.
They just needed to get there, and fate and destiny would take care of the rest. Then, before the season began, it seemed that Masai Ujiri took unnecessary punitive measures by trading the Raptors’ most recognizable star player, Demar DeRozan, to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
While Kawhi was already an NBA All-Star, he had been coming off an injury-plagued 2017-18. His level of interest and excitement towards the idea of playing in Toronto was questioned by the media. Of course, the critics were quickly silenced. Kawhi and the Toronto Raptors brought a storybook season to the city. Along with Danny Green and a star cast of players like Kyle Lowrie, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby, the 2018/19 season was one that the entire country of Canada will never forget.
The image of the incredible, buzzer-beating series winner that Kawhi tossed up against the Philadelphia 76ers is a moment that will live in the highlight reels of NBA folklore forever. That shot set the tone for the Toronto Raptors’ destiny through that magical Championship run. They were not to be stopped. With Drake sitting courtside, the Toronto Raptors were the center of the sports and entertainment universe in 2019.
That was the absolute mountaintop for what has become a proud Toronto Raptors franchise. The Raptors’ dynasty, however, was not to be as first Kawhi, then Lowry, then Freddie, and OG all moved on and continued with their own pursuits for a second title. Six years after that monumental achievement of defeating Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and the Golden State Warriors for the title, the Toronto Raptors now have a new cast of budding stars.
While not yet hovering around the standings area that would offer fans hope for a potential playoff berth, the latest version of the Toronto Raptors has had some convincing and satisfying wins this season against top competition.
The starting players, including hometown and former Duke star forward RJ Barrett and 2021/22 NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, have beaten some of the league’s top teams. Unfortunately, this young Raptors team is well below .500 as the season’s closing weeks quickly approach. The upside for the Toronto Raptors is that they might have a shot at a low first-round pick.
As it stands, the Raptors are around the 6-8th team with the worst record for the season. It is unlikely that the Raptors will get the first pick, although there is a slight chance that their ping-pong ball might be pulled out of the lottery machine. With the percentages and odds in mind, here is a look at who the Raptors might have their eyes on to help with the rebuilding effort and in hopes of chasing their second NBA Championship title.
Toronto sports fans will recognize this name as one of the retired Maple Leafs jerseys commemorating the storied hockey franchise in the Scotiabank Centre. Basketball star Bailey is making his own case as a sporting legend by dominating the highly competitive Big Ten conference out of Rutgers this season.
The 6’10 “forward has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant with his soft-touch shooting skills and strong defensive abilities. Bailey is expected to go early in the draft, perhaps in the top 5, but still possibly within the range of where the Raptors will select their pick.
A slightly smaller forward than Bailey. The 6’6” Johnson is a pure scorer who averaged over 20 points per game for the Longhorns this season. He is an incredible shotmaker and a solid 3-point shooter, drawing comparisons to Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat.
A sizeable presence in the paint, Queen can fill in at center if needed but will likely fill an NBA roster as a forward. His ball-handling ability and footwork are both said to be unique for a big player. Queen is also said to have excellent rebound and passing skills. Like the previous two players listed here, Queen will go early-to-middle range in the first round.
Once again, the Toronto Raptors are an exciting core group of talented young players. While not yet in a playoff position, the Raptors still have a brand of basketball that attracts strong support from their fanbase. They are on their way up when factoring in some acquisitions this offseason and drafting some exciting young players from this year’s deep draft class. The team from the North should be knocking on the door of a new playoff run as early as next season.
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