Toronto Raptors wait for next season after 'failed' collapse of 2023-24

TORONTO — This was supposed to be Scotty Barnes' season.

Toronto made a series of trades in December and January that made Barnes the face of the franchise, and he was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in February. The revamped Raptors began playing with Barnes at the center of head coach Darko Rajakovic's schemes, putting together a modest three-game winning streak that got them into the playoffs.

But then he had season-ending surgery to repair a broken hand on March 4, and then his teammates were injured. Canadiens swingman RJ Barrett and defenseman Immanuel Quickley took time off to mourn the deaths of family members and the NBA launched an investigation into irregular betting surrounding backup center Jontay Porter.

That misfortune sent Toronto into a 15-game losing streak, the second-longest in franchise history, and the Raptors finished 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 25-57 record.

“I'm not really upset, it was a freak accident and God has a plan for me,” said Barnes, who showed a scar on his arm. “But it's been frustrating for me in the last month, these last 20 games, it's been seeing us lose and not being able to go out there with the guys and help us win.

“But I don't take it for granted. It's still a blessing. I look at it as an opportunity to grow as a leader.”

That positive reframing was the theme Monday as the Raptors held their season-ending press conferences after cleaning out their lockers and interviewing Rajakovic and Toronto's front office. Barnes said that while his shooting has improved — he's averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists on 47.5 percent shooting over 60 games this season — it's been his personal growth.

“Just a great teammate for me, he's been there all season, just being fun, leading, talking, being positive,” Barnes said. “It wasn't a great season with a record, but we enjoyed each other's presence and tried to be positive for everyone.

“We all hung out and talked and had fun.”

Starting center Jacob Poeltl was the first domino to fall after the Barnes injury. The veteran underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his finger, a day after Barnes underwent surgery to repair his hand.

Poeltl agreed that the Raptors were done when all the trades were made in the short window and everyone was healthy.

“I don't think those (moments) are extreme,” Poeltl said. “Almost all of the expenses were much higher than when we did it.

“It gives you a lot of confidence. It gives me great hope to look forward to next season.”

Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., was traded to Toronto on Dec. 30 from the New York Knicks along with Quickley in exchange for OG Anunoby in the first trade that began the team's turnaround. He missed nine games to mourn the death of his younger brother, Nathan Barrett.

While it's been a tough season for him and his Raptors teammates, the Canadian point guard believes the challenges will make them stronger next season.

“If you look at all the trades and everything that's happened this year, I think it would be hard for any team to be able to put it together that quickly, right? Barrett said, adding that he had a hard time adjusting to changes to the roster before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. “I think this summer, work together and figure things out and then come to training camp, just hang out. a good training camp and we're on the same page and it's going to be big.”

Kamloops center Kelly Olympique joined the team at the deadline along with forward Ochai Agbaji, who signed with the Utah Jazz. Olympic and Barrett will represent Canada at the Paris Olympics this summer, but he was looking forward to playing with a fully healthy Raptors team next fall.

“It was a tough time there,” said Olynyk, who started at center in Poeltl's absence. “But I think when our guys were on the line, we played well together, we were tough, we shot the basketball.”

Follow @jchidleyhill on X.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 15, 2024.

John Chidley-Hill, Canadian Press