Toronto Raptors Worth More In Latest NBA Valuation Report

The Toronto Raptors went all-in during the offseason with their sights set on making a push back to contention in a strengthened Eastern Conference, trading for superstar Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers and promptly signing him to a two-year extension.

Although Leonard would sit out of the team's preseason debut last weekend against the Miami Heat, the foundation for a playoff team is still there.

As a result, the Raptors rose to 11th place in Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico's rankings of the most valuable franchises in the league that were published on Friday. The report has Toronto worth $6.47 billion, an increase from $5.22 billion last year that is still a tad below the league average of $6.64 billion.

Still, it is important to take into consideration that all 30 teams are estimated to be worth a combined $199 billion. Badenhausen also mentioned that the estimate includes WNBA franchises and other team-owned businesses such as arenas. Moreover he noted that the values listed are also projections based on a control sale price.

The Raptors are only two spots below the conference rival Philadelphia 76ers who rank ninth with a valuation of $7.15 billion that came in part due to their signing of former Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in free agency. 

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors and defending NBA champion New York Knicks topped the list, being worth $14.5 billion and $12.8 billion respectively. Given how large both teams' markets are, it is not surprising why they are worth so much and other franchises like Toronto are worth less. 

Even then, money doesn't paint the full picture on a franchise's story and the Raptors' recent upswing is an example of that. Last season, Toronto finished 46-36 overall and reached the postseason for the first time since 2022.

While they bowed out early in the first round to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Raptors appear poised to take a step forward this year with players like Scottie Barnes who are ready to prove critics wrong. 

RJ Barrett also comes to mind given that his name was brought up in trade discussions with the Sacramento Kings back in February regarding a deal that would've sent him to Sacramento in exchange for center Domantas Sabonis.

With the team's hard work and acquisition of Leonard, it is clear why the Raptors shouldn't be counted out, regardless of what a monetary figure may say about them.