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.
No. 2: The Integration Of The New Players
There were certainly a lot of teams who were a lot busier this offseason than the Raptors were. However, there will still be some considerable intrigue in seeing some of the new faces that the organization added.
The main focus of the attention here will be on a few key players. The top of that list would be probably be Davion Mitchell. The Raptors have struggled to fill the backup point guard spot in recent years. The team was forced to deploy desperate measures like running Malachi Flynn in that role.
Mitchell will get every opportunity to secure the job after being acquired from the Sacramento Kings this offseason. The appeal in having him serve as the backup point guard would undoubtedly be his strong on-ball, point of attack defense. Mitchell should be able to come in off the bench and change the energy of the basketball game with his tenacity on that end.
here is a supercut of jamal shead's defensive plays in preseason.
— William Lou (@william_lou) October 19, 2024
in 77 minutes, he created 8 steals, 4 moving screens, a charge, and a push off. he's just ridiculously disruptive.
this doesn't even include the many shots he changed + deflections + closeouts. https://t.co/j81dH6NXD1 pic.twitter.com/k7RxT8Abi8
If Mitchell does not prove himself to be a capable backup, perhaps Jamal Shead will. The rookie guard has made a strong case during the preseason to earn meaningful minutes in the regular season. The season opener will offer insight into how big of a role he carved out for himself.
One other rookie is worth keeping an eye on in this category too. Jonathan Mogbo averaged 17.4 minutes per game during the preseason. Whether or not he remains a prominent part of the rotation is an interesting storyline for opening night against the Cavaliers.
No. 1: Scottie Barnes Starring As The Face Of The Franchise
Last season was extremely encouraging for Scottie Barnes. In his third year as an NBA pro, he was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game. He was rewarded for it in the offseason, signing the largest contract in franchise history.
The expectations are high for Barnes entering his fourth season in the league. The former Rookie of the Year has developed into a tremendous all-around star. Now, he has to prove that he can be 'the guy' for the Raptors.
Scottie Barnes said GET OFF ME pic.twitter.com/QlSBDfd6cf
— Amit Mann (@Amit_Mann) October 18, 2024
Following Pascal Siakam's trade to the Indiana Pacers, Barnes averaged 19.3 points and 7.0 assists per game as the leading option offensively for the Raptors. His season was then cut short by a hand injury that resulted in him missing the last 22 games of the 2023-24 campaign.
Barnes displayed some flashes of brilliance on the offensive end for the Raptors in the preseason. He scored 26 points and added 10 assists against the Boston Celtics in the matchup on October 15th. He also scored 21 points in 26 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets in the Raptors' preseason finale.
The Cavaliers ranked 7th in terms of defensive rating during the 2023-24 season. They should provide a healthy test for Barnes' ability to be the offensive engine for the Raptors.