Toronto Raptors Face Two Key Decisions Heading Into Next Season

2027 is set to be a potentially historic year for the Toronto Raptors. As they face some of the toughest competition seen in the Eastern Conference in recent memory, they hope that the addition of seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard can push them to get to the top of the NBA mountain and win the second championship in franchise history. 

Whether that goal is achieved this year or not, general manager Bobby Webster and head coach Darko Rajakovic have several questions they must discuss before the season begins. In the past 8 months, many have wondered whether or not the franchise truly believes that Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, and RJ Barrett are good enough to assist the team in winning a championship. Realistically, that question needs to be answered sooner rather than later because if the front office doesn’t feel they are equipped to do so next season, they are stalling the development of the team’s future aspirations. 

That is because of the scouting department’s fantastic ability to draft quality players in recent years. Over the last three seasons, they have selected Ja’Kobe Walter at No. 19 in 2024, Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9 in 2025, and Allen Graves at No. 19 this summer. Graves will likely assume a role on the bench for the foreseeable future due to being behind the superstars, Leonard and Scottie Barnes. The other two, however, are ready to compete at a very high level next season, and staying on the bench may be an impactful hindrance to their growth as pivotal championship pieces. 

The reality of the situation is that it’s not as simple as starting them over Barrett and Poeltl. Obviously, Rajakovic should be putting out the lineup that will be the most prepared to win games, but Webster needs to ensure Barrett and Poeltl aren’t demoted due to the substantial contracts they are being paid. Having over a combined $49 million between two players coming off the bench is terrible asset management, and if the franchise believes Walter and Murray-Boyles are the players of the future, Barrett and/or Poeltl need to be moved. 

On one end, Barrett is entering the final year of his contract, meaning the Raptors can somewhat easily trade away his expiring deal or let him walk in free agency. On the other end, Poeltl is under contract for the next four seasons for just under $104 million. The long contract would be great to trade for a team that was excited to trade for him, but the exceptionally high number is actively driving teams away from pursuing him. 

Unfortunately, keeping one over the other is realistic, but not quite the preferred future for Toronto. Walter has shown the ability to be a superb 3-and-D guard with Sixth Man of the Year potential, so re-signing Barrett, the Toronto native, to a semi-team-friendly deal and increasing Walter’s role on the bench is very doable. Murray-Boyles in one season has shown that a sixth-man-type role may not be enough. His immediate impact as a defender and interior force offensively proved to be the perfect fit next to Barnes, and if he improves as many believe him to, he needs to be starting as soon as possible. But, as stated previously, moving Poeltl isn’t going to be as easy as the Raptors would like. 

So, the big decisions revolve around how far they believe Walter’s and Murray-Boyles’ development can go and whether or not they are willing to move Barrett or Poeltl to find out.