For the second time in three years, the Toronto Raptors will tipoff the new NBA season against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This season opening contest should be a good barometer for what point the franchise is at in their rebuild, heading into the 2024-25 season.
Raptors Team President Masai Ujiri cited the Cavaliers as an example that the Raptors organization is looking to follow.
"It takes time to win in this league, but you never know. There are young teams winning now in this league," Ujiri told reporters at a press conference during the offseason. "You see the great things Oklahoma City is doing. You see the great things Orlando is doing, Cleveland, I think there are examples there. Hopefully we can get back on that pace too."
The Cavaliers have been a playoff team for two seasons in a row. They offer a modest challenge for the Raptors to test their quality (or lack thereof). This will naturally create a lot of opportunities for way-too-early insights that everyone will be watching for.
No. 3: Gradey Dick's First Run As The Full-Time Starting Shooting Guard
The departure of Gary Trent Jr. to the Milwaukee Bucks left a starting spot wide open. Most would have predicted that Gradey Dick had the inside track to firmly secure that spot for the 2024-25 season.
The season opener against the Cavaliers will be the first real opportunity for everyone to see Dick as a starter in meaningful minutes with the Raptors. He did start 17 games last season for the team. However, at the point in which he got those opportunities, the games were hardly relevant.
Gradey Dick is doing everything this 2nd quarter.
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) October 19, 2024
Putback dunk, help on the defensive end leading to a block, and showing off the handles! pic.twitter.com/ITNaSjKwXE
Many will expect Dick to be much improved this season. He had a strong second half of his rookie season and has received a full offseason to work on his game. The season opener will be the first opportunity for him to showcase his continued development.