Ok, just to clarify, I am in no way suggesting that this current version of the Toronto Raptors is destined to contend for a title next season. Heck, many pundits and pessimistic basketball commentators have been largely dismissing this Raptors squad — not even expecting them to reach the playoffs, or just squeezing into the play-in by the skin of their teeth.
But I see the upside for sure, even if you consider my inherent inclination to believe in their success ... since the Raps are my home team and the one I cover extensively. I am more on the boat that this season will involve a bit more trial and error, some slight experimentation (maybe not as crazy as last year, though), and figuring out which pieces work best toward the ultimate goal of becoming a powerhouse in the East once again.
And who knows ... perhaps, somewhere down the road (hopefully not too long), the Toronto Raptors can find their way back to championship contention — much like the surprise emergence of the Indiana Pacers this past season — even if their meteoric rise came crashing down as quickly as the rocket shot up.
However, the Raptors have a lot to address to reach that level. With that in mind, I present the three vital components Toronto needs to emulate the Indiana Pacers' upward trajectory.
Having a Tyrese Haliburton-esque playmaker
When you think about what got the Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals, much of that success was thanks to the tremendous efforts of Tyrese Haliburton.
Not only is Haliburton a superb playmaker, but the pace (pun intended) and insane shooting he was able to establish for his Pacers squad was truly a sight to see. Focusing on the Raptors’ point guard situation, Immanuel Quickley clearly lags behind a court maestro like Haliburton. At 26, Quickley might seem to be nearing the final stage of who he is as an NBA PG, but I still believe he has the potential to gradually develop into a Trae Young-esque playmaker ... if the stars align.
Whether it's IQ taking the lead in playmaking or sharing the responsibility with others like Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, it will be a crucial factor in Toronto's future success.
Building on the trait of unselfishness and 'next man up' mentality
This is already a staple in Raptors culture, so I don't worry too much about it, but they'll need to keep emphasizing this point within the roster.
The 2024-25 Pacers were celebrated for their selfless style of play, focused on enabling everyone to shine when opportunities arose. This unselfish approach led to a season filled with assists, placing Indiana at the forefront as the league leaders in ball movement.
While it was fitting for the aptly named Pacers to play this fast-paced style of basketball, it also brought some defensive vulnerabilities. Indiana could light up the scoreboard, but they were just as prone to giving those points right back to their opponents.
I believe Toronto is better suited as a defense-first team, but their success will hinge on their ability to achieve balanced scoring across the board — embracing that 'next man up' mentality, so to speak. While some might view the Raptors as a bit clunky, they have a variety of players capable of generating offense. On top of that, they’re quite adept at finding the open man when needed.
Depth in every area
Indiana had the luxury of being deep across all fronts. No Haliburton? No worries, here comes superhero TJ McConnell to save the day. Or how about Andrew Nembhard's constantly active and pressure-creating defense?
Look across the board, and you'll find talent that can all pop off at any given moment to provide Indiana with exactly what they need. Guys like Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin —heck, even bottom-of-the-rotation players like Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley showed up when needed.
That wave of added playmaking, the presence of consistent shooters, and a justified extended rotation can elevate a team above the competition — and the Toronto Raptors are certainly working toward building an identity rooted in young players emerging as their bench depth.
Toronto has some promising players in the mix, including Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, Sandro Mamukelishvili, Jonathan Mogbo, and Gradey Dick, all working to establish their roles as full-time rotation pieces. While they’re still unproven, everyone starts somewhere — and the Raptors undeniably have a talented group to develop and see where they help most.