Once-NBA champion Raptors are in ‘We the North Rebuilding’ mode

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors have gone from “We the North” to “We the North Rebuilding.”

Five seasons have passed since the Raptors brought out their famous “We The North” rallying cry in a thrilling run to the postseason that ended with the first NBA championship north of the U.S. border. Joined.

That spring, crowds across Canada packed outdoor parties to watch the Raptors, who with a star-studded roster beat the Golden State Warriors in six games.

The current Raptors squad does not have flagship players who can propel Toronto to fight for the championship.

Kawhi Leonard left after his lone season in Canada, but the Raptors posted a solid 46-18 start the following season before the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down in March 2020. Toronto was unable to regain its magic in the bubble that summer, losing a seven-game series to Boston in the second round.

The following year, COVID-19 border restrictions forced them to move to Tampa for a disappointing, losing season. More stars said goodbye that year and in subsequent years, including Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet leaving or being traded.

Nick Nurse, who won it all as a rookie coach, was fired in April 2023, days after the Raptors failed to hold a 19-point third-quarter lead and lost a play-in game at home to Chicago.

After last season’s trades of Pascal Siakam to Indiana and OG Anunoby to the Knicks, there are no significant contributors left from Toronto’s 2019 championship team. The only one remaining is Canadian forward Chris Boucher, who played just four minutes in that postseason.

Next season, the 30th season in Raptors history, doesn’t look like it will end in celebration.

“We are going to play to win, but we are a rebuilding team,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri acknowledged at the beginning of training camp. “I think everyone sees it very clearly.”

That’s how clear the intention is, Ujiri said, to cement the rebuild on 23-year-old forward Scottie Barnes. The former rookie of the year was a first-time All-Star last season, his third, and set records in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds, assists and blocked shots.

Barnes signed a contract extension in the summer that could reach $270 million if he reaches his limits.