The Toronto Raptors have consistently been one of the playoff contenders in the East but has never been seriously considered as a serious championship or title contender the past few years. For the upcoming season, the Canadian squad is banking on the continued growth of their key players-- shooting guard DeMar Derozan and centre Jonas Valanciunas-- plus the steady veteran presence of point guard Kyle Lowry and other offseason acquisitions.

DeRozan was the team’s leading scorer last year averaging 20.1 points per game in the regular season. However, all eyes will be on DeRozan’s shooting efficiency this season as he shot a career-worst 41.2 per cent from the field and just 28.4 percent from behind the arc last year.

Derozan has a good all-around game with averages of 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game but to be considered a real franchise player in Toronto, he has to shoot at a respectable rate and at the same time involve his teammates in the offence.

The Raptors capable of helping DeRozan on offence are Lowry (17.8 points and 6.8 assists per game) and Valanciunas (12.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game). Lowry is a proven court general and reportedly came to training camp thinner and fitter while Valanciunas has continued to improve as seen in his performance for the Lithuanian national team in the recent Eurobasket.

The addition of wingman DeMarre Carroll (12.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals with the Atlanta Hawks last season) from free agency will add some scoring punch and much needed perimeter defence. The Carroll signing was just of the many for the Raptors in the offseason as they decided to load up on reliable role players to form a team that has a solid 8 to 10 man rotation.

Other free agents acquired were veteran forward Luis Scola and 23-year-old centre Bismack Biyombo, both of whom are expected to be the primary back-up big men for the Raptors’ relatively young frontline. The team also added former number one pick Anthony Bennett and point guard Cory Joseph.

The Raptors have made the playoffs the last two seasons but both times got burned in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Last season, they got swept by the Washington Wizards despite holding homecourt advantage.

2015-2016 Toronto Raptors Projected Depth Chart:
Point Guards: Kyle Lowry/Cory Joseph
Shooting Guards: DeMar DeRozan/Terrence Ross
Small Forwards: DeMarre Carroll/James Johnson/Bruno Caboclo
Power Forwards: Patrick Patterson/Luis Scola/Anthony Bennett
Centres: Jonas Valanciunas/Bismack Biyombo

Other 2015-2016 NBA Season Team Previews:
Make-or-break season for OKC Thunder, Durant and Westbrook
New Bulls’ main man Jimmy Butler to lead Chicago in new season
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers look forward to return to NBA Finals

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES