#toronto-raptors

#toronto-raptors

In 2019, the Toronto Raptors made an improbable run to the NBA Finals, winning it all in six games over the two-time defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. Today, the Raptors look nothing like that squad, with Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell having since moved on to different teams. VanVleet and Powell both shared that championship together as teammates and have maintained a connection ever since.

Back to the Raptors, they were able to sweat out a tight seven-point victory against the Jazz thanks to 21 points from RJ Barrett (who might be on the move for Domantas Sabonis?) and a 20 bomb by Sandro Mamukelashvili off the bench as the two led Toronto in the scoring department as the only players over 20 points in the game.

It's a bittersweet time to be a Raptors fan. The regular season success is starting to come back into the picture for the franchise, but there is a looming sense of unease. Some of the pieces of this puzzle don't fit together cleanly. The team very clearly has some bad salary, and it's a little uncertain how the roster can improve without taking unappealing and risky money in return or by offloading assets that are still needed in order to realize long-term success.

The Raptors did their homework. They were redirecting the Magic away from their pet actions. Rebuffing each attempt at piercing the lane. Intention, intelligence, intensity. Controllable things. Things they often control. It's fuelled their run to a top 8 defense, despite many people observing that they probably don't grade out that high in terms of defensive talent. If a guy loses the thread at the point of attack? A teammate will plug the hole. If the ball moves on after that? Another hole to plug.

In the 2024-25 campaign, Agbaji, who looked far from stellar in his intro Raptors season, dedicated himself to improving his shooting and became one of Toronto's key role players. NBA teams often dream of having players who can defend the perimeter, cut to the rim for explosive finishes, and, of course, his incredible three-point improvement served as a main highlight in Raptors discussion circles.

However, one notable absence that Raptors fans might not take kindly to is Jamal Shead's exclusion from the NBA sophomores. Raptors Nation can attest to Shead's brilliance this season, even if his on-paper numbers don't fully reflect his high-impact, winning contributions. Be that as it may, the 23-year-old did not make the cut, which is definitely a minor gut punch for Raptors fans given this otherwise positive news.

Collin Murray-Boyles went through an extended play group at practice today and is questionable Wednesday, will see how he feels coming out of it.Jakob Poeltl got on the floor, non-contact. Everything is an extended day-to-day managing the pain at this point.- Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) January 27, 2026 CMB went out with an injury during the second half of the lone loss of the road trip in Los Angeles after putting up 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks across 25 minutes of action.

One moment, I'm a vat of coffee in, watching the Washington Wizards game, swearing to myself that I'm not watching another game. Trade the whole lot of 'em. THEY STINK. Then, literally days apart, there I am, holding on to my couch for dear life, scaring the shit out of my already neurotic dog, cheering wildly as the Warriors/Magic comebacks mount. I love this team! Everyone! Playoffs here we come!

For those unfamiliar with Ayo Dosunmu's game, he is a combo guard for the Chicago Bulls who brings shooting, defense, and secondary playmaking. He is a career 37.3 percent three-point shooter, averages just over three assists per game, and consistently takes on tough perimeter defensive assignments. At 26 years old, Dosunmu is in the midst of the best season of his career, averaging 14.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field, 45.0 percent from three, and 86.7 percent from the line.

It's been tough to watch Toronto face a wave of injury adversity, with several players missing in action among both starters and reserves. But on the bright side, the Raptors have still managed to play winning basketball and are experimenting with the lineup options available to them in the meantime. When everyone across the Raptors' roster is healthy, Toronto has mostly rolled out the usual starting five of Quickley, Barrett, Ingram, Barnes, and Poeltl.

The Toronto Raptors have been linked to just about every player who could be available before the deadline, headlined by Anthony Davis. It seems like fans can officially scratch him off the list (subscription required), as Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that the Raptors "have been signaling that they are no longer involved in significant trade talks with the Mavericks."