No one within the Toronto Raptors organization is eager to openly discuss tanking just yet. It’s still early in the season for drastic changes, and the team wants to evaluate its young roster. There’s a sense of optimism about the future and the chemistry among the players, particularly with Scottie Barnes at the helm. However, as injuries mount ahead of a challenging season start, the Raptors feel they’re on shaky ground. RJ Barrett has recently suffered a right shoulder injury, and Coach Darko Rajaković stated they will assess his condition “week by week.” Barrett will miss the remainder of the preseason and will be reevaluated later. Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes are back in practice, working to regain their conditioning after missing training camp.
Meanwhile, Ja’Kobe Walter and Bruce Brown Jr. are still sidelined, with Brown expected to be out as the regular season begins. “You have to focus on the silver linings,” Rajaković said. “What can the players work on during this time that they might not otherwise get a chance to? Is it strength, conditioning, film study, or picking up a new skill? I always try to remain positive.” These absences might even benefit the team in the long run, especially concerning next spring’s draft lottery. While the Raptors aren’t setting out to lose games, it’s hard to imagine that the first few weeks won’t result in some struggles. They face a challenging five-game West Coast road trip in early November and may only be favored in a couple of games through late December. If Barrett is sidelined and players like Walter, Barnes, or Quickley start slowly, the Raptors could face a rough start. The Raptors understand the significance of high lottery picks, as it brought them their franchise star in 2021 and is likely key to pairing Barnes with another top prospect. As President Masai Ujiri noted on media day, securing a top pick is crucial for a market like Toronto. So, this situation might not be entirely negative.
While Toronto would prefer to be at full strength and compete with the league’s best, having younger players get extra playing time could yield positive results. “Practice is vital for our young team and makes a real difference,” Rajaković remarked. “It offers a chance for significant growth. I’m trying to maintain a positive and learning-focused mindset.” In a rebuilding year, this season should prioritize providing opportunities for the youngest players to develop while laying the groundwork to add another promising prospect for next season. If that results in another tough year, so be it.
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