4 former Raptors set to return to Toronto for the first time in 2021-22
By Joseph Zita
We’re just less than a month away until Toronto Raptors basketball and we all can’t wait until we see this team take the court once again, this time back in Toronto.
The 2021-22 NBA schedule was released a while ago, but there are some games on the Raptors schedule that you should keep your eye out for. Make sure you tune in to watch four former Raptors who are all set to make their return to Toronto this season.
Several key components of the 2019 title team are no longer wearing Raptors colors, and they were unable to make a proper return to Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing their old squad to set up shot in central Florida for the entire season. With normalcy starting to return, they will finally be able to make their trip back to Scotiabank Arena.
Here are four former Raptors who are returning to Toronto this 2021-22 season for the first time, and the dates that you should absolutely mark on your calendar in preparation for the big day.
1. Danny Green: December 28 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Green will finally get to return to Toronto, which is noteworthy because he still hasn’t even received his 2019 Raptors championship ring. That’s just crazy. Luckily, there’s a perfectly valid explanation as to why Green is ringless at the moment.
After leaving Toronto and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019 free agency period, the Lakers weren’t set to play the Raptors in Toronto until towards the end of the season. However, COVID-19 hit and the season was postponed. Green never played in Toronto as a Laker.
Danny Green still hasn't received his 2019 Raptors championship ring.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 26, 2021
Last night, he received his 2020 Lakers Championship ring. pic.twitter.com/C1kNjzQHI2
Danny Green will get his Toronto Raptors ring this year.
He then signed with the 76ers during the 2020 off-season, and due to COVID-19, the Raptors were forced to play their “home” games down in Tampa, so Green again never got a chance to go back to Toronto. He stated his intention to wait until he can play in Toronto with fans in the building to receive his award.
With Green signing back with the 76ers, and the Raptors granted permission to play in Toronto again, he will finally get to return to Canada and receive the 2019 championship ring that he has been waiting for this whole time. Let’s just hope he doesn’t leave Scotiabank Arena with a ring and a win in this game.