Toronto Raptors' offseason plans are already in the works
On paper, the Toronto Raptors still have five games left over the next 10 days to close out their 2024-25 campaign.
But if you read between the lines, it seems like just about everybody is ready to move into the next season of the NBA calendar and get their offseason underway.
Second-year head coach Darko Rajakovic and his staff have already dedicated a bit of time that they’d perhaps otherwise be spending scouting upcoming opponents and figuring out the individual plans for each player once the season ends.
“We’re still approaching it game-by-game. On the side, as a coaching staff, we’re working diligently on the plans for the summer and goals for what our guys need to accomplish this off-season. It’s an ongoing process; when we have our exit interviews, we’re going to have official meetings and set all of those [offseason plans] up,” Rajakovic told Offside prior to last night’s contest against the Portland Trail Blazers.
For some players, those plans include small workout groups with their teammates to help work out some of the kinks of playing together. Rajakovic identified point guard Immanuel Quickley and centre Jakob Poeltl as two Raptors players who took advantage of that opportunity last year.
“Last summer, they wanted to spend some time together in Miami to work out so that they can get chemistry,” Rajakovic said, hinting that it’s likely many of his players will get together for informal workouts once again this summer.
For other players, the summer simply offers some time to get away from the bumps and bruises of the season, such as Scottie Barnes, who has been playing through a jammed pinky finger.
“We definitely need to heal the hand and use the off-season [for rest],” he added.
For the front office, they’ll have some difficult roster decisions to make this summer, including figuring out the future of pending free agent Chris Boucher, while also deciding if they’ll want to run back all the key pieces of this year’s roster.
With the NBA Draft Lottery set for May 12, Toronto will soon have a better idea of just how high a pick they’ll have and a shot at drafting a talent like Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
For Rajakovic, who reportedly has already been given the green light to return for next season, keeping up a good mindset has been crucial in a year where the Raptors will be missing the playoffs for a third season in a row.
“The NBA season is a long season, big number of games, you’re going to have ups and downs, and it’s very important to keep that mentality of bringing positive energy and doing everything with joy. It’s very important to learn to embrace the journey, not just the outcome and to embrace every single day,” he added.