As the 2025-26 NBA season tips off, the Toronto Raptors have their sights set on a return to the postseason amid a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Following another disappointing season in which the Raptors failed to reach the 30-win mark, unprecedented changes were made. Masai Ujiri was dismissed as team president in the offseason, and while the organization opted not to name a direct replacement, general manager Bobby Webster was promoted to lead executive, ushering in a new era of Raptors basketball.
So what can fans expect from year one of this new era? In a wide-open Eastern Conference, and with the addition of former All-Star Brandon Ingram set to play his first full season with the team, expectations are quietly beginning to rise. The Raptors are betting on internal growth and player development, and with a young core supported by a couple of intriguing rookies, a return to the postseason suddenly feels plausible in Toronto.
Could Ingram’s Arrival Move the Needle?
The addition of Ingram brings immediate scoring punch to the starting lineup; however, with it comes a touch of risk. When healthy, the six-foot-eight forward is a pencil in for 20 points per game, capable of creating his own shot and carrying stretches of the offense. The concern, as always with Ingram, is availability.
Ingram has failed to play a full season in any of his nine NBA seasons, split between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. However, the numbers he has recorded when on the floor will certainly be a huge offensive boost to the starting lineup, especially if his confidence remains high.
“When I’m right, there’s no one in the league that can stop me. And I’ve seen it firsthand, I promise you I have. When I’m in rhythm and I have my explosive step, I can get to any spot on the floor, and I can raise over anybody. My game is about rhythm, footwork and playing super-aggressive. When I’m playing super-aggressive, you got to bang on the refs to call a foul. I’m either going to get fouled or get to my spot.” Ingram told Sportsnet’s Michael Grange.
Head coach Darko Rajaković could be the key to unlocking Ingram’s best version. His offensive system emphasizes movement and scoring, and we’ve already seen how it’s helped Scottie Barnes become a more complete player. If Rajaković can get similar buy-in and consistency from Ingram, the Raptors could boast one of the most balanced frontcourts in the East.
On paper, Ingram and Barnes complement each other well; Ingram’s polished scoring blends with Barnes’ elite defensive instincts and improving playmaking. Health and chemistry will ultimately determine how far that partnership can go, but the potential for a legitimate two-way star duo exists.
“It’s what we work for. It’s what we dream of, growing up having idols like Kobe Bryant. We relish those moments right there. I get excited for it.” Ingram said when asked about having the ball in clutch situations.
Barnes struggled shooting the ball last season, but with Ingram entering the fold, it should take some of the offensive weight off the shoulders of their best defensive player. If everything goes to plan, the Raptors may have found their go-to scoring threat in late-game situations because Ingram has never been one to shy away from taking the big shot.
That shift in offensive responsibility could be the catalyst for Barnes’ next big leap, which might finally push him into All-NBA conversations.
Scottie Barnes Ready To Take the Next Step
If the Raptors are going to exceed expectations and emerge as a real contender for a playoff spot, Barnes needs to be at the center of everything that occurs on the floor. Now entering his fifth season, Barnes has steadily evolved from a high-energy rookie into a legitimate two-way cornerstone. Under Rajaković, his role as a playmaker has expanded dramatically, and his continued improvement as the primary facilitator will be crucial to the Raptors’ success in 2026.
Barnes became the Raptors’ true offensive hub last season, and what made that leap so impressive was that his defense didn’t slip. Many players see their defensive efficiency drop when asked to carry a heavier offensive load. Still, Barnes’ defensive win shares actually increased, underscoring just how impactful he is on that end. His assist rate (27.7%) and usage rate (27%) both hit career highs, a clear sign of his growing command and vision within Rajaković’s read-and-react system.
Whether initiating offense from the elbow or pushing the pace off a rebound, Barnes consistently creates opportunities for teammates. This skill has quickly become the foundation of the Raptors’ attack. Now add a true scoring threat like Ingram, and while his usage rate may tick down, do not be surprised if his assist rate skyrockets so long as Rajaković uses Barnes as an offensive catalyst.
With Ingram handling much of the perimeter scoring load, Barnes can focus on being the all-around engine the Raptors envisioned. Barnes is at his best when defending the opponent’s best forward, creating for teammates, and taking over games when the moment demands it. If his trajectory continues, this could be the year he moves from promising potential to a two-way star.
Internal Development
With Barnes and Ingram anchoring what could be an elite frontcourt, the question becomes whether the supporting cast can rise to meet the moment. Depth and internal development will define how far this group can climb in 2025–26. For players like Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, this season represents both opportunity and expectation.
Dick saw an increased role in the Raptors’ offense last season, and that trend is expected to continue as he transitions into a lead scoring threat off the bench. The key for Dick entering his third year will be efficiency and consistency. He started 54 games in 2024–25 and averaged nearly 30 minutes per night, up from 21 as a rookie; a 39% jump. His field-goal attempts rose by more than 60%, totaling 202 more shots than his first season. While his efficiency dipped as his usage climbed, that was an expected tradeoff for a young player learning to shoulder a heavier load. If Dick can push his three-point percentage from .350 into the high 30s and continue improving defensively, he’ll become the reliable floor-spacer the Raptors offense desperately needs off the bench.
Following his first full season with his hometown team, Barrett returns as a complementary scorer alongside Quickley. With Ingram’s arrival and Dick’s development, Barrett’s spot in the starting lineup isn’t guaranteed, but that may work in his favor. It should push him to elevate his consistency as a slasher and defender within Rajaković’s system. His ability to attack the rim, finish through contact, and stay engaged off the ball will determine how much the Raptors can rely on him as a nightly contributor.
Alongside him, Quickley brings stability at point guard, offering pace control and three-point shooting as a dangerous scoring threat. With both locked in with the Raptors for the foreseeable future, Quickley’s composure and Barrett’s slashing ability give the Raptors a balanced, dependable backcourt capable of complementing Barnes and Ingram on both ends.
The Raptors’ 2025 draft class continues the franchise’s vision of length, energy, and defensive upside. Collin Murray-Boyles, the ninth overall pick out of South Carolina, arrives as an NBA-ready forward with elite defensive instincts and a relentless motor. At 6’7″ with a seven-foot wingspan, he can contest shots and disrupt passing lanes from day one. If he can improve his shooting touch, he projects as a long-term 3-and-D piece in Rajaković’s rotation.
Second-round pick Alijah Martin brings a similar edge from Florida Atlantic: a gritty, two-way guard who defends hard and plays with constant intensity. His blend of toughness and scoring potential perfectly fits the Raptors’ blueprint: add athleticism, defensive length, and versatility around its young core. Together, Murray-Boyles and Martin represent the next wave of the Raptors’ rebuild, one built on energy, discipline, and long-term growth.
With a more apparent identity and improved balance across the roster, the next question becomes how this group stacks up against the rest of the East, and whether the Raptors’ internal growth can actually translate into wins.
Where the Raptors Fit in the East
Projecting where the Raptors will finish in the Eastern Conference is no simple task, given the vast number of variables throughout the conference. Amid any unforeseen circumstances, the Knicks and Cavaliers should be the two true contenders in the East. After that, the waters turn mucky. The Pacers and Celtics are both missing their superstars for the majority, if not all, of the upcoming season, placing question marks around their places in the standings. Then a tier of playoff hopefuls like the 76ers, Bucks, Magic, Pistons, and Hawks will undoubtedly be in contention for a top-six seed. So, where does that place the Raptors?
The Raptors are not built to contend just yet, but they are built to compete. With Barnes and Ingram anchoring a strong frontcourt and a deep rotation of young, improving talent, the Raptors have the makings of a team with real upside; a team that, if healthy, can certainly compete for a top-six seed in the East.
Aside from health, their path forward hinges on one thing: defensive identity. Rajaković’s teams play with energy and structure. Now he finally has the personnel to execute: long, switchable wings, multiple ball-handlers, and bench scoring that can sustain momentum when starters rest.
Not only is the middle class of the East wide open, like it has been in years past, but the argument can be made that there are only two sure-fire locks for the postseason. The difference between finishing fourth and tenth could come down to five or six wins. The Raptors’ internal improvements, more defined roles and schemes, and Ingram’s offensive reliability could easily be enough to bridge that gap. If Barnes continues his upward trajectory and Ingram stays on the floor, the Raptors should land comfortably in the 42-50 win range, putting them firmly in playoff conversations.
Rajaković and the front office have clarified that this is a developmental year, not a throwaway one. The Raptors are done tanking; they’re building. This could be step one towards a perennial playoff team in Toronto. The Raptors may not be ready to challenge the Cavs, Knicks, or a healthy Celtics team just yet, but for the first time in several seasons, they have direction, depth, and belief.
The Raptors enter the 2025–26 season with something they haven’t had in years: clarity. After multiple rough seasons of retooling and uncertainty, the Raptors finally have a direction that makes sense. Barnes is developing nicely into the unquestioned face of the franchise, Ingram provides a dependable late-game scorer, and a supporting cast built on youth, versatility, and defensive energy is starting to take shape.
The margin for error remains thin, but the pieces now fit within Rajaković’s system, which rewards pace, movement, and effort on both ends. If development continues, that identity could be enough in a wide-open Eastern Conference to push the Raptors back into postseason relevance.