No sooner did the final buzzer sound on the 2024-2025 season than Raptor fans immediately turned their thoughts and hopes to the promise of a better 2025-2026 season. While any team can have a bad year, unfortunately, this has become the norm for the Raptors. Long gone from their impressive 2019 NBA Finals wins against the Warriors, this offseason, Raptors can only dream of making a playoff run this upcoming season. This article takes a critical and expert look at whether or not the Raptors can rebound this upcoming season.
The 2024-2025 Season in Review
Depending on who you speak to, this past season was a commitment to rebuilding. The Raptors finished 30-52, good enough for third place behind the Knicks and the Celtics. However, the 30-52 record landed the Raptors in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. For the previous four seasons, the Raptors have had only one .500 season, which was in the 2022-2023 season when they went 41-41, seven fewer wins than in the previous season.
Despite the commitment to rebuild, Raptor fans do have a reason for optimism. Young guns like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barnett, and Jakob Poeltl had memorable seasons. Guided by second-year head coach Darko Rajakovic, Scottie Barnes broke out. Barnes’ 21.1 ppg made him an All-Star and a popular choice among the top sportsbooks. RJ Barnett was the second-highest scorer, finishing just shy of 19 points per game. Before taking over as head coach, Rajakovic guides the Grizzlies to three-straight playoff beths.
Before the All-Star break, the Raptors got a head start on the 2025-2026 season by making a blockbuster trade for Brandon Ingram. The Raptors are banking on Ingram and Barnes meshing, as they sent a 2026 first-round pick, as well as Bruce Bowen Jr. and Kelly Olynyk, to the New Orleans Pelicans according to mansionbet.com/ca/.
A Promising Free Agency and NBA Draft
Already thinking ahead, the 2024-2025 season was a salary-cap clearer for key free agent signings. Already sold on Poeltl has the interior anchor of the future, the Raptors wasted no time giving Poeltl a four-year contract extension worth $104 million. The seven-foot center out of Utah averaged nearly ten rebounds and over 1 block in 57 games before injuring his hand.
To provide veteran leadership, the Raptors also resigned Garrett Temple. For the NBA Draft, the Raptors got their man and a key building block for the future. With the ninth pick in the first round, the Raptors drafted the 6’7″ forward, Collin Murray Boyles, out of South Carolina. For his sophomore season for the Gamecocks, Murray averaged over 32 games 16.8 PPG with 8.3 rebounds. Also, for his sophomore season, Murray shot over 58% from the field.
At a solid 245 pounds, Murray’s incredible versatility is often compared to Draymond Green’s versatile defense and ball handling, so Raptors fans have a lot to hope and root for this upcoming season. Already, Murray is starring during the summer league, is averaging nearly 13 PPG, but it is his stout defense that has Raptors fans waiting for him to pair alongside Poeltl for a possible playoff berth in 2025-2026.
As the Raptors’ roster for the new season becomes clearer, fans’ love for the team urgently needs a tangible expression. Customized merchandise is a great way for fans to show their support for the team, such as customized PVC patches, keychains, jerseys, etc.
Fans can design exquisite basketball patterns on the patches and engrave their favorite player’s number and name. Whether it is printed on a jersey or decorated on a backpack or hat, it is a witness to the resonance between fans and the team.
These PVC patches embody the passion of fans. Come get one and join the Raptors on their journey to glory this new season! Visit gsjj.ca to quickly customize your own patch.
