Expectations low as Toronto Raptors training camp nears

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Even though Labor Day is just this week, many Toronto Raptors players are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming NBA season.

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Star player Scottie Barnes and his good friend Jonathan Mogbo, selected by the Raptors with the 31st overall pick in June’s NBA draft, have been training in Spain. Other players like Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl have been following the same program in Miami.

Gradey Dick, in his second year of his career, has clearly been busy in the weight room — he looks much bigger than he did as a teenager — and he’ll be joined by a host of new perspectives at training camp next month. Dick has already been seen helping them get to know each other.

Second-year head coach Darko Rajakovic will share his take on a big summer at media day. Rajakovic had a whirlwind summer a year ago after he was hired, so it will be interesting to hear his thoughts on how a normal offseason has helped his preparation.

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It is not yet clear which group Rajakovic is in.

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However, Toronto is widely expected not to be a playoff team in its 30th season. On paper, only Washington and Brooklyn look significantly worse in the East, and there seems to be nothing separating the Raptors from perennial basement dwellers Charlotte and Detroit, especially if injuries pile up like they have in 2023-24.

The playoffs are likely the team’s ceiling for now. Even if Toronto stays healthy, the team has the toughest schedule through mid-December, with only three of the first 25 games against opponents who missed the playoffs last year.

As we have already written here, Expect lots of distractions and activations for the year 30 to distract from the on-court product. It’s not that these Raptors lack talent, it’s that the league is pretty loaded at this point and they don’t have enough high-end players yet.

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That’s why the tough schedule and low expectations could be good things for the franchise in the long run.

Celebrate the past (Vince Carter will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in mid-October and will be honored throughout the year, along with other former franchise icons) and land a high draft pick in what should be a loaded class (that goes well beyond expected first-round pick Cooper Flagg).

Then come back next year with a more experienced core and ideally another long-term pillar added.

TRENT SAYS GOODBYE

Gary Trent Jr. bid farewell to Toronto and the Raptors in a brief Instagram post last month.

“I learned a lot and gained a lot in the sixth quarter,” Trent Jr. wrote. “The city is a part of me forever, thank you.”

Trent spent three full seasons and part of another with the Raptors after being acquired from Portland for Norman Powell and averaged 16.4 points, 1.4 steals and shot 38 percent on three-point attempts with the team.

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With the free agent market all but dried up, Trent surprisingly signed for just $2.1 million with the Milwaukee Bucks, looking to win a championship and rebuild his value for his next contract.

Trent’s post included many photos from his time with the Raptors. His father also played for the franchise.

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AROUND THE EDGE

It is worth taking the time to discover the African NBA production documentary on Raptors rookie Ulrich Chomche: ‘Born and raised’. the youngest player The player was selected 57th overall in June’s draft and won’t turn 19 until December 30. Chomche gave an intriguing glimpse of his potential during the NBA Summer League, and while he’s a major project like Bruno Caboclo once was, it’s easy to see why the Raptors were intrigued. The documentary explores his remarkable journey from goat farmer to basketball prospect with the NBA Academy Africa. At this point, the documentary can only be viewed on the NBA app.

@WolstatSun

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