Can Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram push the Raptors back into the playoff picture? (Photos by Kevin Sousa + Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)
Get Caught Up
2024-25 Record: 30-52 (11th in East, missed playoffs)
Injuries hit the Raptors early in 2024-25, leaving them reeling. After several players went down in the preseason, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley each missed extended time in November and December, and Toronto entered the New Year with a 7-26 record.
But the Raptors closed the season on a positive note, going 22-21 across their final 43 games. Toronto established one of the deepest rotations in the league and jumped from 26th to 2nd in defensive rating post All-Star break – the biggest improvement of any team.
Now, with the addition of a healthy Brandon Ingram and minimal offseason turnover, Toronto enters 2025-26 with its eyes on a playoff push.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Jakob Poeltl (extension), Garrett Temple
- Additions: Sandro Mamukelashvili (free agent)
- Draft: Collin Murray-Boyles (9th pick), Alijah Martin (39th pick)
- Departures: Chris Boucher (free agent)
- Unsigned Free Agents: N/A
Ten Raptors logged 17+ minutes per game across 50+ outings last season – tied with the Cavs for the most in the NBA. The only player from that rotation not returning is Chris Boucher (10.0 ppg in 2024-25), who played the fewest games and minutes of the 10.
That group also doesn’t include Brandon Ingram, who was acquired via trade last February but was sidelined for the remainder of the year with an ankle injury. Now healthy, Ingram’s set to make his Raptors debut on Opening Night, giving Toronto another proven scorer alongside Barnes, Quickley and RJ Barrett.
Also joining “the Six” is this year’s No. 9 pick, Collin Murray-Boyles, whose two-way motor should help maintain the Raptors’ defensive momentum. The team also added guard Alijah Martin in the draft and signed forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (6.3 ppg in 2024-25) in free agency.
With continuity, added depth, and a new scoring threat in Ingram, the Raptors are hoping they finally have the talent to compete with the East’s top teams.
No. 9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles impresses as the 4-0 @Raptors clinch a spot in the #NBA2KSummerLeague Semifinals! 👏👏
20 PTS
9 REB
4 STL
8-13 FGM pic.twitter.com/PtuqCIAdLD— NBA (@NBA) July 18, 2025
No. 9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles impressed during NBA 2K Summer League in Vegas, helping Toronto earn four wins and a spot in the Semifinals.
X-factor
Scottie Barnes. He enters year five as the Raptors’ foundation, still ascending toward his potential. After earning his first All-Star nod two years ago, Barnes posted averages of 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks across 65 games last season. Only four other players in NBA history have matched or exceeded those averages over a full season – Larry Bird (2x), Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Scottie Pippen.
And it’s not just Barnes’ numbers, it’s his value. Toronto has gone just 7-32 in the 39 games he’s missed over the past two seasons. If he stays healthy, the 24-year-old wing has a chance to evolve from a promising young cornerstone into a bona fide star.
> Watch Scottie Barnes on NBA League Pass
One key question
How will Barnes and Ingram mesh offensively? The Raptors finished 23rd in scoring last season, with much of those struggles stemming from beyond the arc. They ranked 29th in made 3s and 23rd in 3-point percentage, with Barnes hitting just 27.1% from deep.
Ingram, meanwhile, showed real growth as an outside threat, raising his 3-point attempts from 3.8 per game in 2023-24 to 6.4 across 27 outings with NOLA last season. That jump resulted in 2.4 triples per game – tying a career-best (2019-20) – at a 37.4% clip.
That perimeter growth could be key for Barnes, who thrives as an on-ball playmaker that collapses the defense. Having Ingram not only create his own shot but also space the floor could open up lanes for Barnes, while creating cleaner looks for Barrett, Quickley and Toronto’s young bench.
If Barnes and Ingram click, the Raptors could unlock an offense that complements their emerging defense – the kind of balance that makes a playoff push possible.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the East. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Raptors:
“Looking ahead, the Raptors could come with a much different energy to start the new season, especially thanks to the addition of Brandon Ingram, who gives them a major boost on the offensive end. Ingram should be able to shine as a go-to scorer, allowing Barnes to focus on his all-around impact, while RJ Barrett and Quickley will be able to provide consistent supplementary scoring. The Raptors also have good depth from the bench, making them look like they are built for a run at the postseason, if all goes to plan.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener: Oct. 6 vs. Nuggets (10 ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season Opener: Oct. 22 at Hawks (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Home Opener: Oct. 24 vs. Bucks (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup East Group A Play: Oct. 31 at Cavaliers (7:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 7 at Hawks (7:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 21 vs. Wizards (7:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 26 vs. Pacers (7:30 ET, League Pass)
What they’re saying
Eric Koreen, The Athletic: “Surely, injuries will pop up, but hopefully not at last season’s rate. While the outlook is clear, I thought it would be wise to take a crack at what the rotation could look like at full health. While there are many things here that certainly won’t come to pass, it is a useful exercise in envisioning what the Raptors will look like.” (Read More)
