Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from 2019 NBA offseason

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 2: Walking off the court after the loss is Toronto Raptors guard Danny Green (14), Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) and Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2). Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors in 2nd half action of Game 2 of NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena. Warriors win 109-104 and even the series at 1-1. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images /

1. The trophy is still in Toronto

This offseason has likely been a disappointment for most fans in Toronto. After all, it’s always about the future and never about the present in sports transactions. The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently selling their fans on 2026 – looking ahead feels natural.

But only one NBA city basked in the glow of a title this summer. Only one parade celebrated the victors of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Only one franchise experienced what it felt like to win it all for the first time in their history.

When the children who attended the championship parade talk about this summer in ten years, they aren’t going to be talking about how Danny Green and Kawhi bolted for Los Angeles, how Leonard kept his cards close to his vest, or how good Chris Boucher looked in the Summer League — although that would bode well for the franchise’s future.

They’re going to bubble with tales of where they were when the Raptors ended their curse, where they were when the parade happened and how they felt about cheering for a champion. It’s not hard to lose sight of those things in the helter-skelter pastime that has become the NBA offseason.

dark. Next. Worst signings of free agency

Nothing will change the fact that the Toronto Raptors won the title this past year. Fans in Canada should be celebrating the victory for as long as they see fit.

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