Toronto Raptors Set to Make NBA History in 2026 Preseason

The NBA offseason has provided some of the best storylines imaginable already this summer. Headlining the major news are the Toronto Raptors, who are still in the process of completing a blockbuster trade to acquire seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. Once the deal has been finalized, general manager Bobby Webster will be able to fill out the roster and push towards legitimate championship aspirations. 

Although free agency is far from over, Toronto has officially released its preseason schedule for the 2026-27 season. Not many fans get too excited given the lack of playing time for the typical stars, but there are several key matchups that should be enticing. Playing five games against four teams, the Raptors will begin with training camp and the first game in Quebec City, marking the first-ever NBA game played there. 

While the location will spark major news, the game will be equally as exciting because it will be the unofficial debut for 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Miami Heat. Again, he and other stars like Bam Adebayo, Scottie Barnes, and Leonard likely won’t play beyond the first quarter, but even a quarter of intensive basketball between some of the league’s best will be exhilarating to watch. 

That’s just the first game for Raptors fans to view. This will be followed by a game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Vancouver. Needless to say, this exhibition will be entertaining because it will serve as an immediate homecoming for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick, who were included in the deal for Leonard. Even if the deal doesn’t go through, the awkwardness of the three players competing for the teams that tried to trade them would serve as must-see TV. 

Games 3-5 will be against the reigning champion New York Knicks, playing them both at Scotiabank Arena and Madison Square Garden, followed by the finale against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. There is no better test in sports than matching up with the top team in the league, and the Leonard-led Raptors will have a chance to see how they compare to begin the season. The Raptors were one Game 7 win away from having to face the 60-win Pistons in the second round of this year’s playoffs, so that could serve as an interesting “what-if” scenario as well, as the teams will play very similarly to regular-season basketball. 

There is much to look forward to for Raptors fans, despite the offseason having two more months to go. Rookie first-round pick Allen Graves, recently ranked top-10 in his class, and reigning All-Rookie Second-Team selection Collin Murray-Boyles, favored to win Most Improved Player, are set to take the league by storm. Preseason will be their time to shine, as they will certainly be more involved than ever in the functionality of the offense before the regular season begins.