After a tumultuous offseason, the Toronto Raptors are faced with major questions as they aim to defend their first NBA title.
Toronto Raptors fans will be looking back at the past 12 months for the rest of their lives, but it may finally be time to look ahead to the 2019-20 season.
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In case the confetti cannons have clouded your head since the championship parade, the big news of the offseason for the Raptors was the departure of an indispensable player who joined the team in a trade a year ago, only to seek riches in Los Angeles this summer.
That’s right, Danny Green is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers now.
Kawhi Leonard signed with the LA Clippers, too.
Outside of those subtractions, it’s been a quiet offseason for Canada’s basketball team.
Toronto made just one selection in the NBA Draft, taking center Dewan Hernandez with the penultimate pick of the evening. In free agency, they signed Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and undrafted free agent Terence Davis.
They also saw Marc Gasol opt into the final year of his contract.
Extremely Blessed ! Thank You @Raptors For This Opportunity. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/3fDnno6qMy
— Dewan Hernandez (@DewanGoesFor_20) July 13, 2019
None of those transactions will have the same impact Leonard’s absence will. Leonard is one of the five best players in the NBA today and his presence was easily the biggest reason the Larry O’Brien Trophy finally made its way to Toronto.
But the Raptors will still have a target on their back as we enter the 2019-20 season – that’s the price of winning an NBA title.
Here are three big questions for the Toronto Raptors entering the new season.