The Toronto Raptors have eight solid NBA players and could be poised to snap their three-year playoff drought. Still, the Raptors have some roster work to do this offseason.
Expectations Are High For Raptors Who Still Have A Little Work In the Offseason and Potential Trade Candidates
Toronto has not been excellent over the last few seasons, and they made a few moves this summer. The Raptors, who own the league’s seventh-worst winning percentage over this stretch, went 32-50 last season as they dealt with several injuries.
Darko Rajakovic has used an incredible 69 starting lineups since being named head coach, including 39 this past season. Rajakovic’s most common first unit in 2024-25 started just eight games together. Star Scottie Barnes appeared in the second-most games by a Raptor, but he still missed 17 games. The Raptors went 6-11 without Barnes last season.
Adding Brandon Ingram at last year’s trade deadline is the Raptors’ most important addition in 2025-26, as the 27-year-old didn’t play after December 7. Otherwise, Toronto drafted Collin Murray-Boyles with the No. 9 pick in June’s draft and then extended center Jakob Poeltl three more seasons. Additionally, Garrett Temple was re-signed, and the Raptors added frontcourt depth with San Antonio Spurs big man Sandro Mamukelishvili.
Raptors Camp Roster and Salary Cap
While the Raptors don’t have a lot of quality depth, their roster is full of players who can play multiple positions. Frontcourt depth is the Raptors’ biggest issue, though Barnes, Ingram, and Barrett can play the 2, 3, and 4.
Toronto has all 15 of its standard spots, all guaranteed, filled with salaries totaling $190.7 million. Therefore, the Raptors are over $3 million over the luxury tax. However, AJ Lawson‘s $2.27 million deal is nonguaranteed. They also have all three of their two-way contract filled with Ulrich Chomache, Chucky Hepburn, and Alijah Martin.
The Raptors also have four players reportedly on Exhibit 10 training camp deals. David Roddy. Olivier Sarr, Cliff Omoruyi, and Tyson Degenhart are the players who have agreed to deals with the Raptors. However, Omoruyi and Degenhart’s deals are not official.
What is Next For The Raptors?
Toronto’s first order of business will be to either officially add Omoruyi and Degenhart or waive them and allocate the pair to G-League affiliate, Raptors 905. Both players saw limited time with the Raptors during summer league action and are slated to end up with the Raptors 905 as affiliate players. If the Raptors waive both players, they could add another player on a training camp or Exhibit 10 deal.
So, Toronto’s biggest upcoming decision could be whether to extend Ochai Agbaji. Agbaji, eligible for a rookie scale extension, is slated to make $6.38 million this year.
Agbaji is coming off a career year and is expected to have a significant role off the Raptors’ bench this season. The 6-5 versatile guard averaged 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists with shooting splits of 49.8/39.9/70.8. He can guard four positions and scored in double-figures in 35 of 64 appearances, topping the 20-point mark five times.
Suppose Agbaji and the Raptors have until October 20 to work out a deal. If they don’t, Agbaji will be a restricted free agent. Also, Luke Adams of Hooprumors believes that Agbaji could be dealt at some point this season if an extension isn’t worked out and the Raptors get off to a slow start. By trading Agbaji, the Raptors’ main goal likely would be to get under the luxury tax.
Raptors Expected To Be Buyers At Trade Deadline
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, there is some pressure on Toronto to be competitive.
“The Raptors have been given some type of formal pressure, some type of direction from their new leadership of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to end this sort of rebuild era they’ve been in,” Fischer said via YouTube on Wednesday.
Fischer added that the team will be aiming to claim a top-six playoff spot this season, not simply make the play-in tournament. As a result, Fischer believes that Toronto will be a buyer at the trade deadline.
“I have the Raptors already earmarked as a buyer,” Fischer said. “Now, if things go awry (or) if there’s something injury misfortune, maybe the Raptors don’t fully go that direction. But if everything goes as intended, if they’re faring night after night in the standings as they hope to be, as they intend to be, I’ve got the Raptors as a buyer.”
RJ Barrett
Fischer also believes that Barrett is the team’s top trade candidate. Barrett has been good for the Raptors and much more productive and efficient since coming over from the New York Knicks. The Raptors are projected to be way over the salary cap next year, and Barrett has over $57.3 million left on his contract. He is slated to be an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
If Toronto does trade Barrett, it would be for an upgrade rather than likely a salary dump. So, what could the Raptors be looking for in a trade for Barrett?
In the same YouTube segment, Fischer revealed that the Raptors had conversations with the Boston Celtics about Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Talk reportedly centered around the Raptors’ No.9 pick in June’s draft.
“They had conversations with Boston about both Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, trying to figure out ways to add either veteran into their backcourt.”
While White is likely off the table, Toronto could use another point guard. Holiday is older and doesn’t make sense due to his salary.
Immanuel Quickley has shown himself to be a solid point guard, though the Raptors could use an upgrade with his backup. Jamal Shead is the Raptors’ only other true lead guard, though they do have several players who can facilitate the offense, including Barrett, Ingram, and Barnes. Shead had his ups and downs as a rookie and was seen more as a defensive stopper than an offensive player.
Raptors Starting Lineup and Depth Chart
If the Raptors stay healthy, they could have one of the best starting units in the league. Besides an upgrade at backup point guard, the Raptors also could improve their center depth.
Quickley, Barrett, Barnes, Ingram, and Poeltl are slated to be Rajakovic’s 2025-26 starters, per The Athletic’s Eric Koreen. Not that the Korean’s projections are likely off base, though Rajakovic does have options.
Gradey Dick started all 54 games last year. However, the 21-year-0ld improved his production from his rookie season, though he still had his ups and downs. Dick is a high-volume 3-point shooter who demonstrated the ability to be an electric scorer, scoring 20 or more points 10 times, including topping the 30-point mark on three occasions.
It is possible that Rajakovic could start Dick instead of Barrett or Ingram, although that is unlikely. Dick is as versatile as Barrett and Ingram, though he also has some ability to play the one. However, either Shead or Agbaji will likely guard the opponent’s point guard when Quickley rests.
Koreen also has Mamukelishvili and Murray-Boyles joining Shead, Agbaji, and Dick as part of the Raptors’ second unit. Koreen added that Ja’Kobe Walter and Jonathan Mogbo should be in the mix for time with the second unit. Additionally, Jamison Battle will likely see some time as well.
Photo Credit: Scott Wachter, Imagn Images
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