Kings' DeMar DeRozan on Retiring with Raptors: 'Can't Turn Something Like That Down'
Sep 16, 2024
TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 13 - DeMar DeRozan adds author to his list of accolades with his book "Above the Noise" in Toronto. September 13, 2024. (Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Kyle Lowry has said on more than one occasion that he plans to retire as a member of the Toronto Raptors. DeMar DeRozan can relate.
"You definitely want to go out in a poetic way, especially where it all started," he told Doug Smith of the Toronto Star on Friday. "If I had the opportunity to do something like that, you can't turn something like that down, to put on that jersey for the last time, because it was the first jersey you put on."
DeRozan, 35, spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Raptors, earning four All-Star Game selections during that time while leading the Raptors to five playoff berths. He was famously traded to the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2018-19 season in the deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors, which resulted in a title for Toronto.
Since that trade, DeRozan spent three seasons with the Spurs and three with the Chicago Bulls, leading to a pair of playoff berths. He joined the Sacramento Kings this offseason. But it's clear that he would love to end his career where he started it, back in Toronto.
DeMar DeRozan Says Raptors Didn't Need Kawhi Leonard Trade to Win 2019 NBA Title
Sep 12, 2024
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors fight for the rebound on February 22, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Would the Toronto Raptors have won the NBA title in the 2018-19 season with DeMar DeRozan instead of Kawhi Leonard?
It seems unlikely. The trade that brought Leonard to Toronto and sent DeRozan to San Antonio is often credited with being the most important factor in the Raptors' surprise title that season.
But DeRozan offered an alternative viewpoint during Thursday's First Take while discussing the topic with Stephen A. Smith (h/t Bryan Kalbrosky of For The Win):
Never to discredit those guys. They won it. They deserve it. I finally had got to a point where I was happy for them. But for sure. I definitely feel like that. The only person we couldn't beat was LeBron James. That's just what it was. I felt off the year we had before, we just needed one more piece to kind of push us over the top. That piece came to be LeBron going to the West and I didn't get an opportunity to see what would have happened. But the upmost confident in myself, I have no doubt in my mind the same outcome would have happened.
Let's dig in to DeRozan's argument.
To start, we'll take a macro look at Leonard's performance during the 2018-19 postseason. The superstar forward averaged an impressive 30.5 points on 49 percent shooting from the field and 37.9 percent shooting from three, adding 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals per contest, all while playing elite wing defense.
DeRozan, in his entire career, has never averaged more than 23.9 points per game in a single postseason. In fact, outside of assists, DeRozan has never reached any of the stats in a single playoff run that Leonard posted that postseason. He certainly has never been the sort of defender that Leonard was at the time, and until only recently hasn't been the sort of three-point shooter that Leonard was during those playoffs.
But let's zoom in further.
Leonard's best series, by far, came in the epic second-round clash with the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that had arguably the best starting five in the NBA (Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick) at the time.
Leonard's legendary three-pointer in Game 7 to clinch the series will be the first memory that comes to mind, but he absolutely carried the Raptors through all seven games, averaging 34.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 53 percent from the floor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFOBQojIGsU
And he did that while often dealing with the defensive shadow of Simmons, at the time one of the NBA's best one-on-one defenders. With many of his teammates struggling against Philly's length—Pascal Siakam was the team's second-leading scorer in the series, posting 19.4 points per game—literally every single point from Leonard was needed.
He surpassed the 40-point mark twice in that series, both in wins (Games 1 and 7). He posted four double-doubles, three of which came in victories. He exceeded 40 minutes of playing time in four of the contests. It was a Herculean effort.
From there, the Raptors would go on to defeat the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals and the injury-depleted Golden State Warriors in six games in the NBA Finals. Would inserting DeRozan—who has unquestionably had a fantastic career—for Leonard in those two series been enough to advance?
Perhaps. But it's impossible to ignore that Leonard provided the sort of performance against Philly that DeRozan hasn't proven capable of replicating during his postseason career. Frankly, few players could match what Leonard provided in that series, and during those playoffs in general.
Raptors 2024-25 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
Aug 15, 2024
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 1: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors warms up ahead of their NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Scotiabank Arena on March 1, 2024 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
With a tumultuous season in the rearview mirror, the Toronto Raptors are officially looking forward to a new one.
Toronto fired head coach Nick Nurse and replaced him with Darko Rajaković ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. It also saw point guard Fred VanVleet sign with the Houston Rockets and then proceeded to trade notable names in Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers) and OG Anunoby (New York Knicks) during the season.
The result was a 25-57 record, which was just the second time since the 2012-13 season the Raptors finished with a losing mark.
While there weren't many headline additions during the offseason, Toronto is hoping continuity from some of the key pieces acquired last season will pay off in 2024-25. Here is a look at the schedule it will have to navigate during the upcoming campaign.
2024-25 Raptors Schedule Details
Season Opener: Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Championship Odds: +100000 (bet $100 to win $100,000), per FanDuel
Full Schedule: The full schedule is available on NBA.com.
Top Matchups
New York Knicks
The Knicks and Raptors are going to be connected throughout the season.
While New York is surely more focused on the likes of the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, the connection with Toronto stems from last season's trade. The Raptors sent Anunoby to the Big Apple in a deal that brought them RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
Any success those players enjoy will catch the eye of fans of their former teams, and the head-to-head showdowns in particular will stand out as Barrett and Anunoby face each other.
From a larger Eastern Conference picture, these games can also serve as measuring-stick ones for the Raptors. They likely won't be battling for positioning among the top four seeds in the conference, but winning head-to-head matchups against some of the best teams in the league can provide confidence and a boost in their own playoff race.
If Toronto can take care of business against daunting opponents like the Knicks, it can provide the separation needed in potential battles with the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat or others in the race for the bottom Eastern Conference playoff seeds and play-in tournament spots.
And it would surely be a welcome development for Barrett and Quickley to defeat their former team.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks earned the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament last season, which is a reasonable goal for Toronto in 2024-25.
It would be quite the jump for the Raptors since they finished 11 games behind Atlanta in 2023-24, but the Hawks no longer have Dejounte Murray after trading him to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason.
It also wouldn't be a surprise to see more consistent play from Toronto with an entire offseason for Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Bruce Brown, Quickley and others to grow accustomed to playing alongside each other.
There was plenty of roster upheaval as last season was ongoing, so even the continuity that was previously missing can lead to more improvement.
If that improvement is going to lead to at least a play-in tournament spot, it may require some head-to-head wins over the Hawks. Trae Young and Co. lost in either the first round or the play-in tournament in each of the last three seasons, which is exactly the type of team the Raptors should be looking to overtake in 2024-25.
And winning these contests would go a long way toward doing just that.
Season Forecast
There are some pieces in place for the Raptors.
Barnes is the face of the franchise and ideally will improve at 23 years old after making his first career All-Star Game last season. The team rewarded him with a maximum contract extension this offseason, and he figures to be a double-double machine during the upcoming campaign.
Still, there isn't exactly much star power around him.
Barrett took on more of a scoring role in Toronto and will help the team improve its record while playing for a full season, but Brown, Quickley, Kelly Olynyk and Jakob Poeltl are solid but unspectacular role players.
Perhaps the newly acquired Davion Mitchell will provide an important boost on both ends of the floor for the secondary unit. Gradey Dick is also a candidate to take strides in his second season in the league.
Given the collection of pieces and the chance to have a full season of Barrett with more roster continuity, improvement will come for the Raptors.
But it won't be enough improvement to make the playoffs.
Record Prediction: 31-51
Raptors' Cryptic Post Has NBA Fans Dreaming of Throwback Jerseys for 30th Anniversary
Aug 14, 2024
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: A Raptors logo is seen on the court head of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors are being cryptic.
The 2024-25 campaign will mark the franchise's 30th season, and the team had quite the head-turning post on social media on Wednesday:
Considering it came shortly after the announcement for the team's NBA Cup schedule included part of a throwback purple jersey, it had fans wondering about the color making a triumphant return in the 30th season:
The Raptors started in the 1995-96 season with a jersey that included plenty of purple and a cartoon dinosaur.
While they have largely moved away from the cartoon dinosaur on the jersey despite the mascot, it's still one of the most memorable looks in the NBA in recent history.
If nothing else, the possibility of the dinosaur and purple making a comeback in 2024-25 is quite a way to generate excitement for the new season.
Toronto is coming off a 25-57 campaign and has won just one playoff series since taking home the championship during the 2018-19 season. Turning back the clock and remembering the days of Vince Carter and Co. isn't the worst way to have fans excited about what's to come.
For now, though, they are left to speculate following a cryptic post.
Video: Raptors Unveil New 'Dino' Logo for 30th NBA Anniversary from Vince Carter Era
Jul 30, 2024
TORONTO - 1999: Tracy McGrady #1 and Vince Carter #15 of the Toronto Raptors look on circa 1999 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1999 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors are throwing it back to the 1990s to celebrate their 30th anniversary during the 2024-25 season.
The franchise unveiled Tuesday the commemorative logo, which blends together its current branding with the red dinosaur that originally adorned its jerseys.
"We're always looking forward, working for our next championship, but years like this are a good time to reflect on our team's history and the amazing things we've achieved together, with the support of our fans, our organization, and our ownership," team president Masai Ujiri said.
"Rookies of the Year. Our many All-Stars — and an incredible All-Star weekend here in 2016. And of course, our Championship, which brought fans all across the country and the world together. Let's celebrate these moments, as we look to add new ones to the list in the decades to come."
The 30th anniversary couldn't be timed much better.
Toronto finished 25-57 last year, its fifth-worst record ever, and little in the way of outside reinforcements has arrived this summer.
To say the Raptors are blatantly tanking would be a stretch, but they're not totally going for it, either. Their ceiling could be a play-in berth along with an early postseason exit, which isn't a lot to get excited about.
Assuming that's the case, fans can at least reminisce about the good times and honor franchise legends such as Vince Carter, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Chris Bosh. The Raptors specifically cited Carter's victory in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest among the moments that will be highlighted.
Maybe the 30th anniversary is also the occasion that allows everyone to let bygones be bygones and sees Carter have his No. 15 jersey retired by the organization.
NBA Rumors: Bruce Brown's $23M Contract Option Exercised By Raptors amid Trade Buzz
Jun 28, 2024
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 31: Bruce Brown #11 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 31, 2024 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors are hanging onto Bruce Brown, for now.
The team reportedly chose to exercise his $23 million team option for the 2024-25 season on Friday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who noted he will be a "valuable trade asset."
The Toronto Raptors are picking up the $23 million option on guard Bruce Brown’s contract, sources tell ESPN. Brown will be a valuable trade asset on an expiring contract for the Raptors.
For one, the Raptors are clearly in a rebuilding mode after trading Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby last season. Building a core around players like Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick—alongside any incoming rookies at this year's NBA draft—is the logical move.
Two, keeping Quickley means paying up, and the restricted free agent intends to sign a five-year, $175 million contract with the franchise, per Wojnarowski. And it's certainly fair to argue that Quickley—who played well in Toronto, averaging 18.6 points and 6.8 assists as the starting point guard—is a better allocation of financial resources than Brown.
Add in the pending free agency of Gary Trent Jr., and it wouldn't have been surprising if the Raptors had bigger financial priorities this offseason than Brown.
Three, it's fair to argue that Brown is now overpaid on his contract, regardless of the above. While the 27-year-old is a very solid role player who averaged 9.6 point and 2.7 assists in 34 games (11 starts) with Toronto, $23 million is a steep price to pay for a player who likely would have come off the bench.
By keeping Brown, the Raptors have less financial freedom in free agency or wiggle room to bring back a larger salary than they send out in a trade. It's possible that by keeping Brown, the team will have to move on from Trent.
The Raptors will have some important decisions to make heading into free agency. But one has already been made, with Brown sticking around—at least for the time being—on his player option.
NBA Rumors: Immanuel Quickley, Raptors to Agree to $175M Contract Before Free Agency
Jun 28, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 3: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball up the court in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on April 3, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors aren't willing to let point guard Immanuel Quickley go this offseason.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Raptors are signing Quickley to a new five-year contract worth $175 million on Friday.
Toronto had the option of extending a qualifying offer to Quickley that would've been worth $6.1 million for the 2024-25 season and made him a restricted free agent this summer, but the team decided to reward him with a new deal instead.
After spending the first three-plus seasons of his career with the New York Knicks, Quickley was sent to the Raptors in December as part of a five-player trade. While he was serviceable playing primarily in a bench role in New York, he thrived when he received a larger workload in Toronto.
Quickley started all 38 games he played for the Raptors and averaged career highs of 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists. He led the team with 39.5 percent shooting from three-point range.
Despite Quickley's impressive play, Toronto struggled to keep up with the rest of the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons with a 25-57 record.
By signing Quickley to a new deal, the Raptors are retaining a rising young player whose best years are ahead of him. The 25-year-old will be a key part of Toronto's rebuild going forward.
Ulrich Chomche NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Raptors Roster
Jun 27, 2024
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 13: Ulrich Chomche #9 of Team World looks on during the game against Team USA during the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit on April 13, 2024 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
After showcasing his defensive ability and offensive potential in the Basketball Africa League, Cameroonian big man Ulrich Chomche went No. 57 overall to the Toronto Raptors (following a trade) in the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Ulrich Chomche
Position: C
Height: 6'11"
Pro Comparison: Serge Ibaka
Scouting Report: Chomche earned a spot on NBA watch lists at the G League Showcase with his outstanding physical tools, clear defensive appealing and flashes of shooting range, ball-handling and passing. Coming from NBA Global Academy, there is just some uncertainty about his NBA-readiness, but he'll be appealing to more patient teams willing to take on high-upside, longer-term projects.
Given that Chomche has played the bulk of his basketball in Africa rather in the college ranks or in better-known overseas leagues in Europe, he is a true wild card in the 2024 NBA draft.
Chomche did have a chance to highlight his skill set on a bigger stage, including the 2023 World Cup qualifiers, the Nike Hoop Summit and the NBA Draft Combine.
Playing against other highly touted players of his age at the Nike Hoop Summit, Chomche led all players with three blocks in the game for Team World, per ESPN's Leonard Solms.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compares Chomche to Serge Ibaka, who was a one-time NBA champion, three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection and two-time NBA blocks leader after the then-Seattle SuperSonics selected him in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft.
Like Chomche, Ibaka started off his playing career in Africa, and if Chomche has a career that resembles Ibaka's, he will have been an enormous success.
NBA Rumors: Davion Mitchell, Vezenkov Traded to Raptors; Jalen McDaniels to Kings
Jun 27, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 16: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings brings the ball up the court during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
As teams look to clear roster space ahead of the second round of the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday, the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings pulled off a three-player trade.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors are acquiring Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium added that Sacramento will receive Jalen McDaniels in the deal.
The deal saves the Kings almost $8.4 million against the cap in 2024-25. McDaniels is owed $4.7 million next season, while Vezenkov and Mitchell combined will earn $13.1 million.
This move comes after Sacramento agreed to a four-year, $78 million deal with Malik Monk that will be signed when free agency begins, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Monk's contract was going to push the Kings over the first apron, but this trade will move them just over $7 million under the $171.3 million luxury tax threshold.
The Sacramento Kings needed to reduce payroll after re-signing Malik Monk since it pushed them up against the first apron.
They’re now $7.3 million below the $171.3 million luxury tax line, giving them more flexibility to improve the roster and increase payroll through trade. https://t.co/sigYxoTm2D
The Kings have the $12.95 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal. They also won't have any trade restrictions by staying out of the first and second apron.
McDaniels could turn into a useful rotation piece for head coach Mike Brown. He shot 46.5 percent from the field in his first three seasons, but that efficiency fell to 34.4 percent with the Raptors in 2023-24.
Toronto gets the ability to see if Mitchell can rebound in a new environment. Mitchell was the No. 9 overall pick in 2021, but his role has been reduced in each of the past two seasons after a decent rookie season in which he averaged 11.5 points per game.
Vezenkov came to the NBA last season after originally being drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017. Sacramento acquired his draft rights from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022. He did fine in a limited role for the Kings with 5.4 points on 37.5 percent three-point shooting in 42 games.
There has been speculation that Vezenkov didn't want to return to the Kings and could go back to Europe for the 2024-25 season.
Ja'Kobe Walter NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Raptors Roster
Jun 27, 2024
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 09: Ja'Kobe Walter #4 of the Baylor Bears handles the ball during the first half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on March 09, 2024 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors made their backcourt a priority in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, selecting Baylor guard Ja'Kobe Walter with the No. 19 overall pick.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Ja'Kobe Walter
Position: SG
Size: 6'5", 195 lbs
Pro Comparison: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Scouting Report: Walter immediately popped this year as a three-and-D prospect with his shotmaking and defensive tools. Teams will see a plug-and-play off-ball scorer with his shooting and physical line-driving. He just hasn't shown any signs of self-creation or playmaking due to limited ball-handling.
Walter was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and a third-team All-Big 12 honoree in 2023-24. In 35 games with the Bears, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He also shot 34.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Baylor didn't have an NCAA tournament run to remember, falling to sixth-seeded Clemson in the second round. Walter made the most of his brief stay in the Big Dance, combining to put up 39 points and 10 boards over two games.
The 6'5" guard's three-point percentage doesn't do full justice to the threat he can pose from deep. He can be an effective shooter whether he's working off the ball or pulling up off the dribble.
Walter is unlikely to develop into a major star, but he possesses a two-way game that can help him carve out a long career at the next level.
