Like the New Orleans Pelicans, the Toronto Raptors have been one of the most snake-bitten teams in the NBA recently. The Raptors have shown patience as they have re-tooled their roster with talented players, but for the most part, they have not been able to stay healthy. However, there is hope that the Raptors are trending in a positive direction.
Toronto has missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and four of its previous five. The Raptors went 30-52 last year, a five-win improvement from the year before, and showed improvement over the 2023-24 campaign. But Jamal Shead was the only player to play more than 66 games last year. In fact, Darko Rajakovic used 39 lineups and 23 different players.
With so much adversity, it is not a surprise that the Raptors struggled offensively. Toronto finished 23rd in the league in scoring and 25th in offensive efficiency. The Raptors were not a good shooting team, ranking in the bottom third of the NBA in field goal percentage. Three-point shooting, free-throw shooting, and turnovers were also huge problems.
On a positive note, Toronto showed much improvement defensively. The Raptors gave up over three fewer points last year than they did the previous season and improved seven spots in efficiency rankings, going from 25th in 2023-24 to 18th the past campaign. They defended pretty well, particularly the 3-point line, and forced turnovers. Fouling and defensive rebounding were issues.
Toronto-Native The Favorite For Raptors Final Roster Spot
Why is there hope for Toronto’s improvement? The Raptors are an experienced and cohesive team that made a few changes this offseason. The Raptors’ most significant move came at last season’s trade deadline when they acquired the much-maligned Brandon Ingram. They also added free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili, along with Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin, this offseason.
“Ten Raptors logged 17+ minutes per game across 50+ outings last season – tied with the Cavs for the most in the NBA,” Ian Dardani for NBA.com said. “The only player from that rotation not returning is Chris Boucher, who played the fewest games and minutes of the 10.”
“That group also doesn’t include Brandon Ingram, who was acquired via trade last February but was sidelined for the remainder of the year with an ankle injury,” Dardani continued. “Now healthy, Ingram’s set to make his Raptors debut on Opening Night, giving Toronto another proven scorer alongside [Scottie] Barnes, [Immanuel] Quickley and RJ Barrett.”
Toronto has 15 players on standard contracts, 14 of which are fully guaranteed, and is over the first apron by $1.3 million. All three of the Raptors’ two-way spots are filled. A.J. Lawson is the lone player with a non-full guarantee.
According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports, the Raptors don’t know whether they will keep Lawson.
“The Raptors have 14 players on guaranteed contracts, with one open spot left on the regular roster,” Lewenberg said via X. “Darko says they’re still not sure if they’re going to fill it ahead of the season. Weighing their options. Would think AJ Lawson is the favourite if they decide to sign one more.”
What Does A.J. Lawson Bring To The Raptors?
Lawson, a Mississauga (Ontario) native, joined the Raptors last December on a two-way deal. The 26-year-old guard played well in his 26 appearances for the Raptors, posting career-high numbers across the board with 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He also set a personal best with 1.3 threes while shooting 42.1/32.7/68.3. Right before the end of the season, his contract was converted to a standard deal.
Lawson is a lengthy, athletic playmaking wing with strong defensive instincts. Lawson is at his best when attacking the basket, particularly in transition. Defensively, Lawson is versatile, able to guard four positions, and moves well laterally, though he can be exposed on the interior.
Lawson, who has 83 games of NBA experience, has shown some ability to score and rebound at the top level. The 6-6 combo guard scored in double-figures in 11 of 26 appearances, topping the 20-point mark twice, including dropping a career-high 32 against Washington on March 10. He also posted two double-doubles.
Lawson also played well in the G-League throughout his career and had an intense summer league session with the Raptors. He hasn’t seen much time during the preseason thus far, compiling 12 points and four points with shooting splits of 27.3/20.0/83.3 in 25 minutes.
What Are The Raptors’ Other Options
Even though Toronto can carry a full complement of players, as they are over the first apron and have plenty of room before hitting the punitive second apron, The Athletic’s Eric Koreen and Sports Net’s Michael Grange believe that the Raptors may opt not to.
“They could keep an extra player, if only to start the year, but a few things are working against that,” Koreen said. “They are already above the luxury-tax threshold. As well, having an open roster spot would allow the Raptors to acquire an extra player that they send out in a trade.”
“Additionally, the Raptors’ biggest roster need is size up front, but none of their players on non-guaranteed deals scratch that itch,” Koreen continued. “Olivier Sarr, at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, comes the closest, but he hasn’t made a huge impact in his limited minutes. A.J. Lawson is probably the best player of the bunch, but the Raptors are deep in skinnier swingmen.”
Besides Lawson and Sarr, who are among the three players on the Exhibit 10 deal, Jared Rhoden and David Roddy are also candidates for the Raptors’ last spot. Like Lawson, Sarr, Rhoden, and Roddy have NBA experience.
Lawson has seen more time than the other three players. But as Koreen said, the Raptors may wait to see if there is a large number of available players after cut-down day.
For Lawson’s part, he is trying to make the most of his opportunity.
“You just got to be yourself,” Lawson said, per Grange. “Don’t worry about all the other factors that could happen. Just do what you can do, control what you can control, and for me, play hard every time I’m out there, show I can defend at a high level, show I can create and knock down the shot. If I keep doing that, I feel like I’ll be okay. I just can’t focus on the things that are out of my control.”
Collin Murray-Boyles Suffers Elbow Injury
Toronto improved to 2-1 in the preseason last night with a 107-105 victory over Boston. Gradey Dick turned in his best performance of the preseason last night, scoring 22 points on 8 of 13 shooting, including 3 of 5 from deep, while also grabbing six boards. Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo, along with two-way players Chucky Hepburn and Alijah Martin, had strong games.
Toronto, which was already without all five starters against Boston, saw rookie Collin Murray Boyles exit early. Murray-Boyles was only on the court for eight minutes before suffering a right elbow contusion. The 6-7 forward recorded four points, one rebound, and one assist before leaving the game.
After the game, Rajakovic told reporters that Murray-Boyles’ X-ray was negative. But Grange said that Murray-Boyles was in obvious pain in the locker room and will likely have an MRI. Barnes, Ingram, Quickley, Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl sat out the game.
Barnes, Ingram, and Quickley were absent due to rest. He is dealing with left knee tendinopathy and hasn’t played since seeing 18 minutes of action in the preseason opener. Meanwhile, Poeltl hasn’t appeared in an exhibition game yet due to a back injury. Now Grange is reporting that the big Austrian is “under the weather” and is questionable for Sunday’s tilt against Washington.
“Collin Murray-Boyles was not at practice today; instead, he was getting further testing done on his elbow,” Grange said mid-afternoon today.” Jakob Poeltl was also out as he recovers from a cold.”
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