Previewing the Toronto Raptors for the 2026-27 Season
The Raptors are coming off an impressive season. They secured the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and made a major stride from where they had been the previous few seasons. Now they will have championship expectations due to the addition of Kawhi Leonard, who is returning to his former team. Optimism is sky-high for the Raptors once again, but will they be able to meet these expectations? We will find out soon enough.
The Roster
Point Guards: Immanuel Quickley, Jamal Shead, Jaden Bradley, Chucky Hepburn (Two-Way Contract)
Shooting Guards: R.J. Barrett, Ja'Kobe Walter, Alijah Martin, Malachi Smith (Two-Way Contract)
Small Forwards: Kawhi Leonard, Jamison Battle, Kyle Anderson
Power Forwards: Scottie Barnes, Allen Graves, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Centers: Collin Murray-Boyles, Jakob Poeltl, Trey Jemison III (Two-Way Contract)
The biggest change to this roster is obviously the addition of Kawhi Leonard. The team might have lost some depth and Brandon Ingram in the deal, but overall, I really think the Raptors won the trade. It will be interesting to see the duo of Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard because these are two guys who aren't just scoring threats, but are also two versatile beasts on both sides of the floor. The sky is the limit for this duo. They also added a stretch-four type of player in Allen Graves through the draft. This is a very intriguing roster overall.
Biggest Questions
The first question I have for this team is how effective can the bench be? The Raptors have a very talented starting five, but the depth behind them is going to be a major factor in how successful this team can be. Toronto has some solid young pieces that have shown potential, but they will need those players to step up and be consistent throughout the season. If the bench can provide solid scoring and defense, I think this team has a chance to be one of the best in the Eastern Conference. It will be interesting to see how the rotation looks and who can step up when needed.
Another major question is how good can the duo of Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard be? Both are very talented two-way forwards and have the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Leonard is obviously the more experienced player and knows what it takes to win a championship, while Barnes is still developing and getting better every season. I think these two could form one of the best forward duos in the entire NBA if they can stay healthy and build some chemistry. The biggest thing will be seeing how they fit together offensively and whether Barnes can take another step playing alongside a player like Leonard.
The last question I have is how good can Collin Murray-Boyles be in his second season? Murray-Boyles showed some nice flashes during his rookie year and has the potential to become a very important piece for this team going forward. With the Raptors looking to compete this season, he will have an opportunity to contribute to a team with some serious expectations. I think his defense and versatility could make him a very valuable player off the bench. If he can improve offensively and continue developing, he could end up being one of the bigger surprises on this roster. Time will tell how much of a jump he can make this season.
Prediction Markets
Regular Season Win Total: 46.5
To Win the NBA Finals: +2500 (Tied for 9th Best Odds)
To Win the Eastern Conference: +1000 (7th Best Odds)
To Reach the Conference Finals: +400 (6th Best Odds)
To Reach the Conference Semifinals: +165 (6th Best Odds)
To Win the Division: +700 (4th Best Odds)
To Make the Playoffs: -250
To Miss the Playoffs: +200
To Participate in the Play-In Tournament: +150
To Win the NBA Cup: +1800 (7th Best Odds)
These odds are toward the top of the league, and I find them a bit interesting. The Raptors are tied for the ninth-best odds overall to win the NBA Championship but have the seventh-best odds to win the Eastern Conference. Also, having those high odds to win the NBA Championship while being +165 to even win a playoff series is interesting. These odds show that this team definitely has some potential, but they also suggest that Toronto might not be as good as some people think.
Final Prediction and Outlook
The Toronto Raptors have high expectations for the season, but it will not be easy to meet those expectations due to the Eastern Conference being so stacked. The team also needs to stay relatively healthy throughout the season because of the lack of depth on the roster, and it will need some of its younger players to continue developing and improving. I think this team doesn't quite meet the expectations set for them and ultimately struggles with an early playoff exit.
Final Prediction: 46-36 | 7th Seed | First-Round Exit
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