10 greatest moments in Raptors history

8 of 11

For the first (and, to date, only) time ever, the Raptors “won” the draft lottery. Despite having only the NBA’s fifth-worst record at 27-55, the ping-pong balls were friendly. The Raptors thus were in the catbird seat for the June draft.

Astute readers will note I didn’t select the player’s acquisition as the highlight. That’s because GM Bryan Colangelo made the worst of three choices available to him. He could have traded the pick, chosen LaMarcus Aldridge, or gone slightly rogue with Andrea Bargnani. Colangelo’s love for the European game carried the day, so Bargnani it was.

“Il Mago (The Miracle)” wasn’t a bust, but there’s no arguing the fact he was a massive disappointment. When Masai Ujiri took the reins of the Raptors in May of 2013, he made the firing of the oft-injured and uncoachable Bargnani his top priority. The payback for Bargnani from the Knicks was so impressive, the trade crossed my mind as a Top 10 highlight.

July 8, 2009 Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo (L) looks at Andrea Bargnani during a press conference at Air Canada Centre to announce his contract extension. The Toronto Raptors have re-signed former No. 1 pick to a five-year, $50-million contract extension. Toronto Star/Andrew Wallace (Photo by Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Ah, well – the draft party was great.

Home/Raptors News