en-us SportSpyder - The Latest Toronto Raptors News https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/news The Kawhi Leonard trade saga has left the Toronto Raptors in limbo, with the proposed deal currently on hold as the NBA investigates the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto and Los Angeles agreed to a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap to the Clippers […] Sat, 22 Aug 2026 13:07:18 GMT Noah Curitti https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57667355 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57667355 false false We're less than two months out from tipoff of the Toronto Raptors’ 2026–27 season, when they host the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 21. There are high expectations for the upcoming season after the Raptors posted their best record in four years (46-36), . Quite frankly, the Kawhi trade turns this young Raptors team from pretenders to contenders in the Eastern Conference. Though the Raptors aren't the Eastern Conference team that has improved over the offseason. Toronto will need more than just a 35-year-old, seven-time All-Star, and two-time NBA Finals MVP to make a serious run at the NBA title, and that starts with the role players. Here are four bench players that'll play an important role this upcoming season Jamal Shead Gregory Fisher/Imagn Images Jamal Shead is entering his third season with Toronto and was one of the team's most important bench pieces last season, playing 22.6 minutes per game while averaging 6.6 points and 5.4 assists. The 24-year-old guard's ability to see the floor is second to none, as he led all NBA bench players in assists per game last season. He's also proved he can be a reliable second option behind Immanuel Quickley, who has missed a total of 74 games for Toronto since the 2023-24 season. If Quickley misses more time, Shead could find himself playing a huge role in Toronto's backcourt again. Ja'Kobe Walter David Dermer/Imagn Images Ja'Kobe Walter filled a much-needed role for the Raptors last season as the three-point shooter the team desperately needed off the bench. He made 110 of his 269 attempts from beyond the arc last season, the fourth-most three-pointers on the team, and finished among the team leaders in three-point percentage. In the playoffs, Walter saw his minutes increase with the absence of Quickley and the now-traded Brandon Ingram, although his offensive numbers took a hit as his role increased. The 21-year-old's role with the Raptors heading into his third season is bound to increase; the question is whether his production will follow. Allen Graves Brad Penner/Imagn Images Even though Raptors rookie Allen Graves might have been one of the most NBA-ready players in the 2026 NBA Draft, expectations shouldn't be too high for the 20-year-old forward out of Santa Clara University. The Raptors will look to Graves to be a physical, reliable defender off the bench who can provide some relief minutes for Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles. The 19th overall pick's style of play in his four NBA Summer League games, averaging 16.8 points on 51 per cent shooting, along with 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals. If even half those numbers can translate off the bench in the regular season, Toronto will have one of the best rookies in the 2026 class. Kyle Anderson Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images Besides Leonard (asterisk), Kyle Anderson was one of the Raptors' biggest offseason additions, plus he already has some familiarity playing with Kawhi from their time together with the San Antonio Spurs. At 6-foot-8, Anderson is a versatile player who can defend multiple positions and fit into almost any tactical scheme. He should slide naturally into Toronto's rotation and, like Graves, provide some much-needed relief at the forward position — something the Raptors lacked last season. Anderson has made a name for himself over his 12 NBA seasons as a playmaking forward who can effectively move the ball and create opportunities for scorers like Leonard and Barnes. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:32:35 GMT Marley Dickinson, Offside https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57667152 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57667152 false false The Toronto Tempo's losing streak is FINALLY over thanks to a win against the Portland Fire that had it all — quality offence, gritty defence, and overcoming... Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:27:21 GMT Raptors Republic https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57666757 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57666757 false false The Toronto Raptors finally have the star power to contend in the Eastern Conference, but its supporting cast still raises questions. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:25:38 GMT Rocco Moschella https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57666737 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57666737 false false Toronto traded Gradey Dick away as part of the package that brought Kawhi Leonard back to the franchise, closing the book on a three-year experiment that never quite delivered what the front office originally envisioned. That leaves an obvious question hanging over the wing rotation: Can Jamison Battle become the shooting specialist role Toronto always … Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:44:38 GMT Samuel Hernandez https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57663132 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57663132 false false It took some time, but DeMar DeRozan has found a new home for the 2026-27 season. The former Toronto Raptors star has reportedly signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Denver Nuggets. BREAKING: Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan has agreed to sign with the Denver Nuggets on a one-year, $3.9 million deal, sources tell ESPN. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) There had been talk earlier in the offseason about between the Raptors and DeRozan, but that didn't come to fruition. Instead, DeRozan joins the Nuggets, giving him arguably the best shot of his NBA career to win a championship. The Nuggets finished third in the Western Conference this past season with a 54-28 record, and are likely to do some serious damage once again this upcoming season. While DeRozan is no longer the facilitator of offence like he was during his lengthy Raptors tenure, he'll have plenty of motivation heading into the 2026-27 season after being bought out and waived by the Sacremento Kings in early July. The 37-year-old suited up for 77 games with the Kings last season, where he averaged 18.4 points along with 4.1 assists per game. His average of 31.2 minutes per game marked his lowest total since his rookie season with the Raptors back in 2009-10. Interestingly enough, this signing could impact the Raptors when it comes to celebrating the career of Kyle Lowry. The Raptors are set to honour Lowry early this coming season by . Lowry has previously said that he hoped DeRozan could be in the building to watch, and it just so happens that the Nuggets are in town to face the Raptors on Sunday, Nov. 29. This means the Kyle Lowry jersey retirement will likely be on Sunday, Nov. 29, when the visit Toronto. This will be DeRozan's fifth NBA team. — Marley Dickinson (@marleydickinson) With this signing, DeRozan now joins the fifth organization of his NBA career, having also suited up for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls, in addition to the Kings and Raptors. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:30:54 GMT Colton Pankiw, Offside https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57662455 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57662455 false false #Raptors #TorontoRaptors Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:42:59 GMT Toronto Raptors https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57661976 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57661976 false false #Raptors #TorontoRaptors Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:22:17 GMT Toronto Raptors https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57661069 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57661069 false false #Raptors #TorontoRaptors Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:31:04 GMT Toronto Raptors https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57658974 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57658974 false false Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:47:13 GMT Raptors Republic https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57658378 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57658378 false false The Toronto Raptors have enjoyed a dynamic offseason, but not everyone is affected in a positive way. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:38:57 GMT Jeremy Brener https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57658263 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57658263 false false The Cavs acquired Peyton Watson, but the Raptors could still be better. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:04:47 GMT Elaine Blum https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57657781 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57657781 false false #NBADefenseWeek #Raptors #TorontoRaptors #CMB Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:22:23 GMT Toronto Raptors https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57657243 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57657243 false false Jamal Shead was incredibly impactful for the Raptors in year 2. He just found a way. But what was the unquantifiable skill? 0:45 - Kawhi update2:30 - Unquant... Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:21:00 GMT Raptors Republic https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57657226 https://sportspyder.com/nba/toronto-raptors/articles/57657226 false false