The long-time Raptors executive has the team back on track to contention.
The Toronto Raptors handed the keys to long-time general manager Bobby Webster just over a few months ago, making him executive vice-president of the organization and inking him to a multiyear extension.
The team's decision came after they parted ways with Webster's predecessor, Masai Ujiri, who spent 13 seasons at the helm up until June 27, 2025.
So far, the shakeup appears to be paying off with the Raptors adding quite a few pieces who could prove to be key contributors down the stretch under Webster's leadership.
Kawhi Leonard
Bringing the 35-year-old superstar back to Toronto has been by far the biggest move by Webster thus far even though it was over two months in the making due to the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention.
With Leonard taking the least of the league's wrath with just a $700,000 fine, he is now looking ready to make another run on the team he won it all with in 2019.
Alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, Leonard's elite scoring and playmaking should provide the additional offensive spark the Raptors hope to see this year.
Allen Graves
Webster's intuition in drafting first-rounder Allen Graves out of Santa Clara was initially scrutinized by many who thought the Raptors should have used their 19th overall pick to add a young, promising backup center who can take some of the load off 7-footer Jakob Poeltl.
However, the 20-year-old forward could surprise fans this season after he put up multiple 20-point performances during Summer League play. He would have one of his best showings yet on July 10 against the Boston Celtics, scoring 22 points while collecting 13 rebounds and three steals on the night.
Jaden Bradley
Webster concluded Toronto's draft this year with the selection of Bradley 50th overall out of Arizona, signing him to a two-way deal shortly thereafter.
Much like Graves, the young guard had a solid showing during the Raptors' summer campaign. As a result, Bradley could be poised for a crucial role going forward and Webster showed confidence in that being the case, converting his deal to a standard four-year rookie contract on Monday per Josh Lewenberg.
Signing the 23-year-old center out of Oregon to an Exhibit 10 contract was a great way to see what he has at the professional level.
While he was decent in Summer League, having averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 blocks per game, it is to be determined if he can put up similar numbers against NBA-caliber bigs during a full 82-game workload.
Trey Jemison III
The 6'10'' forward/center out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham could work out to be another great addition by Webster. Although he averaged a single point per game this past season, Jemison would have his best performance yet during the 2023-24 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds across the board.
Coming from a New York Knicks squad where he got a limited role, he will look to flip the narrative this year on a Toronto team that has deep championship aspirations as well.
Closing Thoughts
Webster has the Raptors headed in the right direction, especially after the Leonard trade and the selections of Graves and Bradley in this year's draft. Still, he has more work to do at addressing the team's center position since Poeltl turns 31 five days before the start of the season and recently struggled with back issues.
As a result, moving Barrett may be something Webster needs to consider in order to get Poeltl an improved supporting cast given the former's consistent offensive production and solid defense.
For now, Webster and Toronto will look to see how his moves play out as they begin preseason action on Oct. 3 against the conference rival Miami Heat.
