It’s no secret that the Toronto Raptors have not experienced the success they have become accustomed to in recent seasons.
Their fall from grace was sudden, but not unexpected. Many believed the Raptors would fade to irrelevance following Kawhi Leonard’s departure to the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2019 offseason. While it seems the once-competitive franchise traded a bright future away for one championship, the Raptors have been quietly assembling the core of a future contender.
The Emergence of Scottie Barnes
The biggest reward for the Raptors’ recent struggles was landing the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft.
With this pick, they selected Florida State wing Scottie Barnes. The FSU freshman racked up the accolades in college, making the ACC All-Freshman Team along with earning ACC Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-ACC honors.
In his rookie season, Barnes averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game on his way to being the Rookie of the Year. In the years following, Barnes has shown constant improvement and was rewarded with his first career All-Star selection in the 2023-2024 season.
The small forward entering his fourth season is progressing into a bona fide number one option for a potential playoff team. At a mere 22 years old, his prime is still ahead of him. As long as he continues to progress, Barnes could prove to be the best player out of the very talented 2021 draft.
The Potential of Gradey Dick
Following a minor two-year resurgence, the Raptors finished 25-57 last year, landing them the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft.
They opted to select Kansas guard Gradey Dick. Despite a less-than-stellar rookie season which saw Dick average only 8.5 points per game on 42 percent shooting, the potential still exists.
It’s easy to forget that Dick was once considered an elite prospect. The former National Gatorade Player of the Year averaged 14.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game his freshman year at Kansas. His college career concluded with All Big-12 honors as he was included on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and 2nd Team All-Big 12.
Dick has a history of being an elite sharpshooter on successful teams. Despite shooting 40 percent in college, however, his three-point percentage dropped to a subpar 36 percent his rookie year. Despite his struggles, the flashes of potential surfaced on occasion in the 2023-2024 season. On April 10th, Dick posted 24 points on 43 percent shooting from behind the arc. If Dick can improve his consistency, the former All-American can be a very reliable role player for a team looking to contend.
From the Big Apple to The 6ix
The 2023-2024 season saw the Raptors bid farewell to 2017 first-round pick OG Anunoby.
In return, Toronto received point guard Immanuel Quickley and shooting guard RJ Barrett. In an attempt to bolster their offensive production, the Raptors’ front office completely revamped what had been a depleted backcourt.
Former Duke standout RJ Barrett provided an immediate impact. In 32 games with the Raptors, Barrett scored 21.8 points (55% FG, 39% 3PT), 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. The wing scorer is playing in the 2024 Summer Olympics with the Canadian National Team.
In an exhibition against Team USA on July 10, Barrett led his team with 12 points. Barrett appears to be what the Raptors’ backcourt has needed since trading away DeMar DeRozan.
The other player who came along in the deal was former Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley. In 38 games with the Raptors, Quickley averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 assists per game. Following the departure of longtime Raptors Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, Toronto was in need of offensive production in the backcourt.
Quickley is an elite scorer who can fill up the stat sheet. Performances like the 32-point, seven-rebound and nine-assist one on April 10 inspire faith that the combination of Quickley, Barrett and Barnes could be the next big three in the East. Toronto appears to be committed to the young guard, as this offseason the Raptors signed Quickley to a five-year, $175 million extension.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Will the Raptors win the NBA Finals next year? Probably not.
The future is not as bleak as it may seem, however. On the surface, it seems Toronto will be just another team that once upon a time was considered one of the best in the NBA. But the 2024 playoffs showed that stars can arise from unlikely situations and lead teams that seem like underdogs on magical Cinderella runs.
While it seems that Raptors fans will be longing for the old days of championship glory, the North will rise again, and sooner than many expect.
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