The Toronto Raptors’ 2026 offseason comes down to three words: “worth the wait.”
The Raptors have quietly built one of the NBA’s most tenacious defensive units. Their lengthy pieces like All-Defensive Second Team Honoree Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Brandon Ingram made their opponents’ lives miserable. Their defense-oriented team pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the 2026 Eastern Conference Round 1, but eventually lost.
They enter this year with a new-look roster, featuring intriguing new rookies like Allen Graves who fit their overall vision, and impressive acquisitions that elevate them from a playoff team to a contender.
A recent Kyle Lowry statue unveiling demonstrates the culture that the Raptors have cultivated over the past decades, with Raptors legends in attendance. Don’t be surprised if their newest piece receives a statue of his own one day.
Raptors’ Biggest Offseason Loss: Brandon Ingram
If the Raptors had lost Ingram for player(s) who don’t positively impact their roster, this loss would have been even graver. They traded him, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two future second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for former Raptor Kawhi Leonard. That said, Ingram is still a solid, young-ish piece you can typically rely on to be healthy all season long.
Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game over 77 games. Ingram is a high-level, efficient scorer. He puts up impressive scoring while shooting 47.7% from the field and 38.2% from three-point range.
If the Raptors needed a bucket, they could turn to Ingram. If they needed secondary playmaking or solid rebounding numbers, he was their guy. He’s a do-it-all player who earned his second career NBA All-Star nod last season.
At the same time, Ingram didn’t perform up to standard when it mattered most. Nursing a heel injury in the postseason, he averaged just 12.0 points per game and shot 32.8%. As a veteran, the Raptors expected him to lead younger, developing players. Instead, his poor play may have cost them a chance at a deep playoff run.
The Raptors would have also owed Ingram $40 million this season. No organization should pay maximum-level money to a player who didn’t show up when it matters most and whose fit with Barnes was far from perfect.
Of course, getting rid of Ingram reaped the ultimate reward: the NBA legend who brought Toronto their first and only NBA title, Mr. Leonard himself. Additionally, Ingram’s postseason injury has significantly lingered into the start of this season.
Raptors’ Biggest Offseason Addition: Kawhi Leonard
It’s an absolute no-brainer; Leonard is consistently ranked within the top 25-35 players in NBA history, and he’s still putting up elite numbers. He is not just one of the best forwards in the league, but he’s a hero in the eyes of Raptors fans.
Despite ESPN’s Shams Charania announcing the trade details on June 30, 2026, the NBA didn’t make the trade official until September 14. This delay followed an extensive NBA investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Leonard. The league paused the trade paperwork as soon as it received it.
Now, after months of waiting, the deal is done. But what does this mean for the Raptors?
Last year Leonard averaged 27.9 points per game, showing he can still make a real offensive impact. The most intriguing part of adding him is how he’ll work with Barnes. They’re two of the NBA’s best defensive wings, with impressive length that lets them jump passing lanes and block shots. Their frames make them nuisances to guard at any position.
He is the physical embodiment of the phrase “ice in his veins.”
Look back to Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals. With mere seconds left, Kevin Harlan exclaimed, “Is this the dagger?” 99% of players would have missed that shot, and his legendary line would be lost to history. Only Leonard’s pristine touch would make the ball bounce around the rim for what feels like ages and still see it drop in for a game-winner.
Toronto’s transitioning from Ingram, who can’t make a huge impact without the ball, to a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in Leonard. Losing Ingram, Dick, and a few picks is a small price to pay to build a championship contender.
Raptors’ Best-Case Scenario Outcome
The Raptors’ best-case scenario outcome is an NBA Championship. Sure, there’s an argument for any team, but the Raptors have a real shot. They maintained a similar core to the one that nearly propelled them to the second round and filled any holes that needed patching.
Thanks to their length, the Raptors match up well with most Eastern Conference teams. They can bottle up heavyweights like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Leonard also enhances the squad’s already aggressive ball pressure.
Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Leonard, Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl are quite a formidable starting lineup. The Raptors also have solid bench pieces like Jamal Shead, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Ja’Kobe Walter. As it stands, they have the depth necessary to make a deep playoff run.
Raptors’ Worst-Case Scenario Outcome
The Raptors’ worst-case scenario comes from two factors. First, the team lacks true center depth. Murray-Boyles is a phenomenal defender, but is somewhat undersized at 6-foot-7. That didn’t affect his ability to make an impact on the interior last year, but it’s worth noting.
Poeltl has dealt with chronic back issues on top of a seemingly immovable $28 million annual contract. His health may not hold up over an 82-game season. The lack of reinforcements at the position could ultimately lead to their downfall.
Another possibility is Leonard dealing with injuries. He was healthy in his one year in Toronto. Unfortunately, he dealt with long-term injuries with the Clippers. He averaged just over 55 games played a season with LA.
There is also the question of whether Leonard will actually fit well in Toronto with this defensive-oriented roster construction. It appears that he will, but until the “Canada’s Team” take the floor together, everything is up in the air.
Raptors’ Biggest Question Heading Into 2026-27 Season
For the Raptors, even more than other teams, the main question is health. With so many eggs in the Kawhi Leonard basket, his health and availability come playoff time, while retaining his All-NBA play, will make or break the Raptors’ 2026-27 season.
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