Raptors make minor moves before the major work begins in Wednesday's season opener
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The Raptors began the process of getting their house in order by engaging in some house cleaning Saturday, one day after they ended their five-game pre-season with a competitive and at times compelling loss to the host Detroit Pistons.
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To be clear, no major roster move is on the immediate horizon knowing the main pieces are already in place, the biggest and most impactful addition being the return of Kawhi Leonard.
Technically, the Raptors and every other NBA team must trim their roster by 5 p.m. ET Monday, one day prior to the official beginning of the league’s new season, a Tuesday slate featuring a triple-header of hoops beginning with Boston visiting Detroit followed by the new-look Philadelphia 76ers with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in New York as the Knicks attempt to defend their championship, capped off by a rematch of last spring’s Western Conference final that sees the 2024-25 champion OKC Thunder playing the host San Antonio Spurs, who succumbed to the Knicks in five games last spring.
The Raptors tip off their season Wednesday night with a home date against the Chicago Bulls.
In the NBA, 15 players on every team get signed to standard contracts.
In addition, two-way contracts are permitted.
Big man Bittle signs two-way deal
Nate Bittle, for example, was signed to the above deal.
Bittle is a centre, one position the Raptors have an obvious need to address, even if it is in a backup role.
Incumbent big Jakob Poeltl appears to be back in good health, but he dealt with back issues for what seemed like the entire season last year.
Bigs don’t grow on trees and while Collin Murray-Boyles did fine as a rookie when thrust into the role of undersized centre, size is a concern for the Raptors heading into next week.
The 7-foot Bittle played very little for the Raptors.
In fact, the undrafted centre out of Oregon missed all five pre-season games and activities during training camp after dealing with a foot injury that required Bittle to wear a walking boot.
He did impress during summer league.
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As a result of Bittle signing a two-way deal, the Raptors have one remaining two-way spot they may fill by scouring the waiver wire, if they are so inclined.
Again, any immediate move won’t do anything to move the needle.
Players whom the Raptors cut Saturday were Nimari Burnett, Canadian Jalen Celestine, Tyreke Key, Tyson Degenhart and Jamarion Sharp.
Some, none may resurface with the Raptors 905, the NBA club’s G League affiliate in Mississauga.
Foot notes best describe Saturday’s activity.
Back-to-backs await Kawhi in L.A.
The real work begins in a few days when all eyes will be on Leonard.
Back-to-backs are not conducive to preserving the two-time NBA finals MVP.
Fortunately for the Raptors, the first set of back-to-backs don’t arrive until early next month when the team is in Los Angeles to face the Lakers first followed by a date against the Clippers, Leonard’s former team whose salary cap circumvention has landed the franchise is hoops purgatory.
When the curtain gets raised Wednesday, the Raptors will be favored to beat the visiting Chicago Bulls.
It’s then off to Washington for a Friday tip against the Wizards, who are hoping highly touted rookie AJ Dybantsa will be cleared to play following an ankle injury the first overall pick suffered in an exhibition loss to the host New Orleans Pelicans.
Trae Young and Anthony Davis will add a much-needed veteran presence to an inexperienced Wizards team that does have the potential to surprise many.
Following an off day, the Raptors will be in Minneapolis to play the Timberwolves, one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA following the off-season acquisition of LaMelo Ball, who teams up with Anthony Edwards to give the T’Wolves as explosive a backcourt in the NBA.
NBA Cup tips off vs. Magic
When the Raptors return from their mini two-game trip, they will play host to the Orlando Magic and rookie head coach Sean Sweeney, an associate head coach for the Spurs last season, for two games.
One of the home tips versus the Magic will be a group stage game in the NBA Cup, an in-season tournament captured by the Knicks last year.
For now and until proven otherwise, the Knicks are well equipped to make a serious bid of repeating.
The East is very deep and the return to the conference by James adds an added layer of curiosity.
With Brandon Ingram running shotgun with Scottie Barnes last year, the Raptors posted a 46-win season, good enough to secure the No. 5 seed in the East.
Ingram and Gradey Dick were jettisoned to the Clippers as part of the deal for Leonard.
Leonard’s presence does raise the ceiling for the Raptors, but so much will depend on his health and by extension his availability.
A year ago, the Raptors finished eight games under .500 against teams that were .500 or better.
A new season begins with the team’s projected win total set at 46.5, which seems low.
Leonard played in 65 games last season and turned 35 this past June.
Assuming he’s able to play as many games this season, a 50-win total for the Raptors is well within reach.
The grind of an 82-game regular season tips off Wednesday.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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