Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors roundtable: offseason summary and thoughts

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 8 - Toronto Raptor DeMar DeRozan talks with Raptors Norman Powell (24) in the 1st half as the Toronto Raptors host the Orlando Magic in Air Canada Centre, Toronto, April 8. April 8, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 8 - Toronto Raptor DeMar DeRozan talks with Raptors Norman Powell (24) in the 1st half as the Toronto Raptors host the Orlando Magic in Air Canada Centre, Toronto, April 8. April 8, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: CJ Miles #0 of the Toronto Raptors and Serge Ibaka #9 react in the second half while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: CJ Miles #0 of the Toronto Raptors and Serge Ibaka #9 react in the second half while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

With the Toronto Raptors offseason mostly complete, our contributors give their thoughts on the five biggest questions of the summer.

The Toronto Raptors offseason was boring, safe, and non-eventful, until it wasn’t. In a dramatic move the Raptors traded away franchise staple, DeMar DeRozan, for Kawhi Leonard.

The Kawhi move has been debated by some, rejoiced by many, and discussed by everyone.

However, it is not the only move the Raptors made this offseason. Toronto also brought back Fred VanVleet and made more minor moves on the back-end of the roster.

With the offseason mostly finished, we asked our contributors the five biggest questions about the offseason as a whole and what it means for Toronto moving forward?

Question: What was the biggest takeaway from this offseason, besides the Kawhi Leonard trade?

 Jordan Skuse:

The firing of Dwane Casey. The decision was questioned the moment it happened, and considering LeBron left the Eastern Conference and the BIG TRADE that went down, you can’t help but wonder if Masai and general manager, Bobby Webster are kicking themselves for not giving Casey a go at a LeBronless Conference with a revamped roster.

I still feel strongly they made the correct decision, but firing the Coach of the Year is always going to be a decision that causes eyes to roll.

Thomas Valentine:

The re-signing of Fred VanVleet. More so, it indicates, that VanVleet is the guy that the Raptors feel more comfortable looking to the future with. I think the Raptors can look ahead past Kyle Lowry now and re-signing Fred means that he should be the one to take over in a few seasons. Fred has earned the money and the opportunity to continue his development with a great team around him.

Matt Stocco:

The Eastern Conference is more open than ever before. LeBron James made the decision we all expected him to make and has made every contending team in the East excited. Toronto, Boston, and Philly are all expected to make every move possible to compete for the top spot in the conference.

This also makes the conference more exciting than ever. It is safe to say that the more intriguing conference will be the East due to unfamiliarity of it. With Cleveland out of the conversation, there will be a new king. This is more evident than ever due to the Kawhi Leonard trade – a move made to hopefully put the Raptors ahead of everyone else.