By Jordan Miller
The Toronto Raptors are entering the 2026‑27 campaign with a palpable sense of excitement that stretches from the city’s streets to the locker room. Head coach Darko Rajakovic, who usually shuns discussions about external expectations, admitted that the excitement around his squad is impossible to ignore. “I have a neighbour, Stewart, he’s a pain in the ass every day asking me about the team and guys and the buzz in the city. He’s a really good thermometer for me on what’s going on in the city,” Rajakovic said after practice at the OVO Athletic Centre. “We absolutely love what’s going on. It’s awesome to see that the city has a buzz about the team, that there’s excitement about the team.”
The heightened anticipation follows a blockbuster off‑season move that brought Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto. The two‑time NBA champion and two‑time Finals MVP, a seven‑time All‑Star and seven‑time All‑NBA selection, joined the Raptors after a trade that sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and several draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard’s arrival, combined with the Raptors’ gritty first‑round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers—where All‑Star Scottie Barnes appeared to elevate his game—has fans and analysts alike forecasting a promising season.
The Raptors open their schedule against a mix of relatively soft opponents. Toronto’s first ten fixtures include the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks and the Clippers, plus back‑to‑back games against the Orlando Magic at Scotiabank Arena and a home tilt versus the Memphis Grizzlies. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets are expected to pose significant challenges during this early stretch. “We know what we need to do stepping on the floor this coming week,” Leonard said. “We know what the formula is of winning, playing hard, playing smart, playing fast, playing defence, less turnovers, and making shots.”
Leonard joined Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl in the starting five, while a deep bench built around Collin Murray‑Boyles, Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter will provide rotation depth. Barnes, a two‑time All‑Star who anchored both the offence and defence last season, acknowledged the city’s enthusiasm despite his preference for staying low‑key. “I don’t really go outside that much, but I think being on social media, people are super happy, excited about Kawhi being back,” he noted. “If I am out in public, I think that’s more what people ask, talk to me about, like ‘how’s Kawhi?’ and things like that.”
Toronto finished the previous campaign with a 46‑36 record, securing fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors pushed the top‑seeded Cavaliers to a decisive Game 7, despite injuries sidelining Ingram and Quickley for large portions of the postseason. ESPN’s preseason projection places the Raptors at a 74.6 % chance of clinching a playoff berth, with an expected 45.5 wins.
Rajakovic held a team meeting on Tuesday to emphasise mental presence and a “one‑game‑at‑a‑time” mindset. “Let’s take care of today, you know? That’s our mindset, so we’re going to take it one game at a time,” he said. “We’re going to prepare one game at a time. We’re going to compete one possession at a time, and the culmination and sum of all of that is going to be what we’re gonna achieve as a team this year.”
Off the court, the franchise celebrated another milestone as Kyle Lowry signed a one‑day contract to retire as a Toronto Raptor. The former point guard’s jersey will be retired at Scotiabank Arena, a ceremony that included a heartfelt facetime call from Vince Carter. “I never thought I would be here,” Lowry said during the press conference, capping a 17‑year career that became synonymous with the Raptors brand.
The Raptors also faced uncertainty surrounding season ticket holders due to new Ontario legislation on ticket resale, a topic that has sparked debate among fans and local officials. Meanwhile, the team’s management continues to navigate the ongoing NBA investigation into Leonard’s contract situation, which has temporarily placed the deal on hold.
As training camp draws to a close, the focus remains squarely on the court. “It’s the start of the year. We’re not sure what to expect yet,” Leonard reflected after Monday’s practice. “We’ve been working hard during the whole training camp, and we’ll just see it down the road. Once 20 games, 25 games are under our belts, and then we’ve got to push from there and see what we can do better.”
The Raptors’ home opener against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday marks the first real test of whether the off‑season additions and the city’s renewed enthusiasm translate into on‑court success. With a blend of veteran leadership, emerging talent and a coach who believes in incremental progress, the franchise is poised to answer the growing questions surrounding its aspirations for the upcoming season.
Why it Matters
The Raptors’ resurgence hinges on the synergy between Kawhi Leonard’s elite playmaking and the youthful energy of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and the deep bench. The city’s heightened buzz not only fuels fan engagement but also creates a psychological edge, raising the stakes for a roster that must prove it can compete at the highest level. Moreover, the team’s ability to navigate external challenges—legislative changes affecting ticket sales and an ongoing NBA investigation—while maintaining focus on the court will be a critical factor in determining whether the Raptors can finally break through to the playoffs and challenge for a championship. The outcome will reverberate far beyond Toronto, shaping the narrative of the Eastern Conference and underscoring the impact of strategic roster moves in modern basketball.
