Toronto Raptors season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

Record: 46-36 (5th in the East, lost 4-3 in first round to Cavaliers)

Draft: Allen Graves (No. 19), Jaden Bradley (No. 50)

Trades: Kawhi Leonard (from Clippers), Chucky Hepburn (re-signs on two-way deal), Alijah Martin (re-signed for 2 years, $4.5 million), Kyle Anderson (1 year, $3.9 million)

Key departures: Brandon Ingram (traded to Clippers), Gradey Dick (traded to Clippers), Sandro Mamukelashvili (signed with Lakers)

Kawhi’s back. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press vía AP)

What’s exciting: Toronto ranked 23rd in isolation scoring and 29th in pick-and-roll scoring efficiency last season. What does Leonard do at an elite level? Run isolations and pick-and-rolls. He is an immediate solution to the biggest issue facing Toronto’s half-court offense, which has to be music to the ears of Raptors fans. And to Scottie Barnes! There will be less on his plate now, which might lead to lower numbers, but should lead to a far more dynamic role. Barnes checks virtually every box on the floor as a scorer, cutter, and screener, and playing alongside Kawhi will put him in positions to excel in every single category.

What’s concerning: The Raptors still need a better center than Jakob Poeltl. After ranking 26th in 3-point attempts and 21st in 3-point percentage last season, it would be ideal if the Raptors had a center who can space the floor. After all, they can only play small for so long with Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles. Toronto has fewer draft assets after splurging on Kawhi, but finding an upgrade would boost the team’s odds of making another Finals run. — Kevin O’Connor 

I’m still bullish on Collin Murray-Boyles making a big sophomore leap. If anything happens to Immanuel Quickley, Jamal Shead is the backup to watch. He’s a great passer who handles the ball well, and his per-minute stats are solid. High assist rate with low turnovers is always preferred in 9-cat formats. — Dan Titus

Opening week: 10/21 vs. Bulls, 10/23 at Wizards

Let the record reflect that the only reason I didn’t continue the top-seed trend here among Atlantic teams is because I don’t believe Kawhi will play enough regular season games to take some of my half-court and offense and shooting questions off the table. He may simply be the answer in a playoff context.

Their elite defense and transition attack is still enough of a formula to churn out wins, especially if Barnes takes another step forward.

If this is a 40-game (or worse) campaign from Kawhi, familiar questions on the offensive end could lower their ceiling. Those, plus the overall strength of the conference, could have them in the 7-10 range. — Nekias Duncan