Projecting the Toronto Raptors’ spot in 2024-25 Eastern Conference standings

The NBA 2024-25 regular season is just over a month away, and Raptors fans are eager to witness a full season of their dynamic "BBQ" trio: franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes, hometown hero RJ Barrett, and the lightning-quick Immanuel Quickley.

Following the free agency period, the team has bid farewell to one of its longtime players, Gary Trent Jr., who opted to sign a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. The starting shooting guard position will primarily be filled by either rising star Gradey Dick or seasoned NBA champion Bruce Brown. Aside from the hole left by GTJ, the team will run it back with veteran Jakob Poeltl to anchor the center position, where he aims to stay healthy as the leading big man.

The team welcomed four new faces after the 2024 NBA Draft, including Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter, USF forward Jonathan Mogbo, Houston guard Jamal Shead, and Ulrich Chomche from NBA Academy Africa. The 45th overall pick of Shead was part of a trade with the Sacramento Kings that also brought the team a tenacious defender in Davion Mitchell. In addition to their draft prospects, the Toronto Raptors acquired former Atlanta Hawks big man Bruno Fernando and struck deals for several under-the-radar players, including Jared Rhoden, Branden Carlson, and Jamison Battle.

Considering these offseason moves, we can now assess the Toronto Raptors' chances in the Eastern Conference this season

The 2024-25 NBA season is expected to involve a trial-and-error phase for the core trio, as they navigate a diverse roster of both young talent and seasoned veterans. Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley have the potential to lead their team to victories, but their supporting cast may be too inexperienced or mismatched, hindering the Raptors as a genuine threat in the East. While Toronto may achieve some success, it's important to recognize that they haven't made any noteworthy moves to elevate themselves into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.

Given the current dynamics at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, it’s likely that the Toronto Raptors will find themselves hovering around the ninth or tenth seed, just barely securing a play-in opportunity. The Atlanta Hawks, who finished 10th in the Eastern Conference last season, experienced a setback by trading Dejounte Murray. As they prioritize the development of new young talents Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels, they are expected to slip a few spots in the standings. There’s a real possibility that the Toronto Raptors could become the new Hawks—competitive enough to be in the playoff mix, but not struggling enough to secure a high draft pick.

The ideal scenario here is the Raptors fully embracing a tanking strategy to enhance their chances of securing the consensus top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft: Duke commit Cooper Flagg. However, it appears the Raptors are unlikely to finish below the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons, all of whom seem focused on tanking. As mentioned earlier, their main competitors for a late play-in push are the Hawks and the Chicago Bulls, whose rosters similarly blend veterans and emerging prospects.

While acquiring multiple prospects in a single draft class is always beneficial, it’s important to note that none of the players currently stand out as game-changers for the Toronto Raptors in their quest to climb the Eastern Conference standings. Walter, Shead, Mogbo, and Chomche will need significant NBA experience to acclimate to the game's pace before they can become essential contributors to the Raptors' potential playoff aspirations.

It’s evident that the team may still require a superstar or, at the very least, a high-level scorer to complement the BBQ trio and help them stand out from the competition. The 2024-25 campaign is likely to resemble the previous season. That said, the BBQ trio has the potential to challenge that notion and demonstrate they can lead a team to success.

The Toronto Raptors could surprise fans and analysts with a playoff push reminiscent of their run in the 2021-22 season. However, their realistic floor may see them finishing in the play-in range or just outside, landing in the 11th or 12th spot once again. Simply put, approach the Toronto Raptors' 2024-25 season with realistic expectations, and trust that their blend of young talent and seasoned veterans can coexist.

Verdict: 11th place, just outside of the Play-In Tournament