The Toronto Raptors endured an offseason that will change the direction of the franchise following a season that changed the perception of the franchise.
It’s hard to believe that the Toronto Raptors were celebrating their first NBA championship less than a short month ago.
Since the celebrations and parade, the Raptors have lived through a relatively quiet offseason, save for a few major contributors walking out the door, none bigger than free agency’s crown jewel, Kawhi Leonard. Leonard’s long-time teammate, Danny Green, also decided to walk in free agency.
Outside of those developments, things have been relatively tame in Toronto. The rest of the core from the team’s championship run is still in place. That includes president Masai Ujiri, who reportedly received a major offer to run the front office of the Washington Wizards, only to decide Toronto was the best place for him to be.
Nevertheless, the Raptors were not immune to the endless movement and excitement that captivated NBA fans across the world this summer. As half of last year’s All-Stars shifted teams, the transactions altered the landscape of the league, altering the sandbox the Raptors play in as well.
Grading an offseason is as challenging as grading a draft. Decisions look good or bad on paper, only to be validated or invalidated when the games are finally played. It’s not too soon, however, to generate some major takeaways on the Raptors and their future based on their 2019 offseason.
Here are three takeaways from the Toronto Raptors’ offseason.