After many months of speculation, rehbillitation, drafting and signing and trading (although not much of those latter two) the Toronto Raptors are on the cusp of playing basketball games that count.
You could say they haven't done that since February, as Scottie Barnes went down with a fractured hand on March 1st and from then on their games meant precious little. They begin this season with new hope, new depth and a chance to see their core four play together...eventually.
It's Tuesday, so it's time for the latest edition of Raptors News!
Final Roster Revealed
The Raptors had to trim their roster down to the final 18 slots, and there was an unexpected surprise as they did so. Toronto elected to keep center Bruno Fernando on the roster as big man depth, which was expected if a little disappointing given his lack of upside as a player.
The Raptors then pivoted and cut loose on the upside of Branden Carlson, an undrafted center out of Utah who must have really disappointed in Training Camp and practices because he couldn't even get on the court in preseason. He had a highlight moment blocking a shot at the buzzer to beat the Boston Celtics, and his theoretical skillset of shot-blocking and 3-point shooting would be ideal for this roster, but he was waived by the team.
Toronto then filled Carlson's two-way slot with Jamison Battle, another undrafted player from Ohio State who enters the league as something of an NBA-ready reserve wing who can sop up minutes as necessary. He was a fine shooter in college and is already 23 years old, and he shot 57.1 percent from 3-point range in the preseason to propel him onto the final roster.
Next: WNBA Finals, Canada Strong
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:
There are 23 Canadians on NBA rosters to open the 2024-25 season. pic.twitter.com/28IsXXJC5R
— Brian Swane (@BrianSwane) October 22, 2024
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
Final Season Predictions
The regular season tips off tonight for four teams, while the Toronto Raptors will join most other teams in starting their seasons on Wednesday. Here are my best guesses at how things will play out this season in the league and with the major awards; my Raptors-specific predictions will come tomorrow.
Eastern Conference Playoffs
1. Boston Celtics
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. New York Knicks
5. Milwaukee Bucks
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Orlando Magic
8. Miami Heat
The Boston Celtics will repeat as Eastern Conference champions, taking down the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Western Conference Playoffs
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Phoenix Suns
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Memphis Grizzlies
8. New Orleans Pelicans
The Oklahoma City Thunder will take down the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
NBA Finals
The Boston Celtics will defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals
Awards
MVP - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Defensive Player of the Year - Chet Holmgren
Most Improved Player - RJ Barrett
Coach of the Year - Mike Budenholzer
Clutch Player of the Year - Devin Booker
Rookie of the Year - Zach Edey
Executive of the Year - Sam Presti
2025 Draft Top 5 (worst records)
1. Washington Wizards
2. Brooklyn Nets
3. Portland Trail Blazers
4. Utah Jazz
5. Detroit Pistons
What's Next
The Boston Celtics raise a banner and host the New York Knicks tonight at 7:30 pm ET on TNT. Tomorrow night, tune into the Toronto Raptors hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30 pm ET.