Raptors News: Final roster revealed, injury updates, season predictions

WNBA Finals

The WNBA just completed its most popular season in league history by having the greatest Finals it has ever had. The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx went the maximum five games, with Game 5 going to overtime before the Liberty won the trophy, their first championship in franchise history.

All five games in the series were close late, with heroic moments from Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Nyara Sabally on New York, and Kayla McBride, Napheesa Collier and Canada's own Bridget Carleton for the Lynx. What an amazing series to cap an amazing season.

As a reminder, the WNBA is coming to Toronto for the 2026 season.

Canada Strong

The rise of basketball in Canada cannot be denied in recent years, and it's why Team Canada's disappointing finish in the Paris Olympics hurt so much - they have as much talent as anyone not named America and are flooding the NBA with players.

As pointed out by Brian Swane on Twitter, there are 23 Canadians on NBA rosters to start the 2024-25 season, an impressive amount, especially given how many of these players are stars:

The Raptors have two of the 23 in RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk, and the MVP favorite heading into the season in many sportsbooks is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Zach Edey is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, while players like Shaedon Sharpe and Andrew Nembhard are rising stars.

Injury Updates

Speaking of Barrett, he is currently questionable to play in the Raptors' season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. If he could go it would be a major boost to their chances of winning against a Cavs squad that is both better than them but playing without their starting 3 in Max Strus.

Ja'Kobe Walter is still a couple of weeks from making it back to the court, while Kelly Olynyk is also questionable with a back injury. With Bruce Brown still a month away from ramping up, the Raptors' depth will be challenged to open the year.

Next: Final Season Predictions