Breadcrumb Trail Links
Sports
Basketball
NBA
Published Oct 23, 2025 • 6 minute read
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic speaks with guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) during a game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic speaks with guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) during a game against the Brooklyn Nets. Photo by AP Photo /AP Photo
Article content
The NBA is back, and so is our regular season Toronto Raptors mailbag. This year’s team somewhat surprisingly destroyed the Atlanta Hawks in Georgia (not the Georgia new Raptor Sandro Mamukelashvili is from) on Wednesday and take on Giannis Antetokounmpo, old friend Gary Trent Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks in the home opener Friday.
Advertisement 2
The Province
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
This mailbag’s questions keyed a lot on the young reserves and a bit on franchise player Scottie Barnes. Let’s get to it:
Article content
Article content
Dan: Over/under 40 wins, assuming everyone is relatively healthy?
RW: I’m going over, and not just because of the franchise record for points in an opener. The East stinks, and I’m going to optimistically pencil in the starters playing 70 games each. If so, they could win up to 47 games, though I’ll go with 43-39. With some injuries they might peak around 37 wins though.
Milt: Who is the third (point guard) on this team, assuming (Immanuel Quickley) and (Jamal) Shead are the main two?
RW: They don’t really have one. Chucky Hepburn looked solid in the pre-season after a great defensive, but unimpressive offensive Summer League in Las Vegas, but not sure head coach Darko Rajakovic wants to throw him out there just yet. With Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett able to create for others, along with playmaking chops from both centre options, there isn’t a huge need for a traditional third point guard.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Ed Helenski @MrEd315: What roster holes or deficiencies still exist with the Raptors?
RW: Said point guard depth for one, but mainly a lack of size. Was a bit surprised to see Mamukelashvili listed at only 6-foot-9, which means only Jakob Poeltl is 6-foot-10 or taller on the entire roster. Not sure I’ve seen that before in the NBA. We’re not saying you need an old school behemoth good for six fouls like you did back in the day, but having a young 7-footer around to develop remains a missing element for the Raptors, just as it’s been for a long time now.
Guavo Centauri @guavocentauri.bsky.social: Did the Raptors try to re-sign Christian Koloko after he was cleared to play by the NBA, or was it a case of “Later, sk8er.”?
Canucks Report Banner
Canucks Report
Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Canucks Report will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 4
Article content
RW: Related to the previous answer, Koloko was once that young big to be developed (and Ulrich Chomche followed, though he was much more of a project than his fellow Cameroonian). I was never given any indications from anyone in the organization that they tried to bring back Koloko following his medical saga. It’s possible they did though and Koloko was just more comfortable in California where he’d come over and played high school basketball.
STRUGGLING SCOTTIE
G Man @GMan83482126: “Has Scottie gone the way of Charles Barkley in Space Jam?”
RW: This was sent in when Barnes had turned in one of his worst performances ever late in the pre-season. We never thought the Monstars took away his basketball powers, just that Barnes needed to be smarter with his shot selection and perhaps dial up his effort level for the real games. That was confirmed when Barnes dominated to end the exhibition schedule and then played an A+ game against Atlanta.
Advertisement 5
Article content
Andrew Woodcock @AndrewWoodcock1: Of that second-year group, who has the best chance to take a big leap this year?
RW: As an on the record Ja’Kobe Walter believer I’ll stick with that choice. He’s a smart, aggressive defender who should fit in perfectly with the system Rajakovic wants to play. On offence he has good shot mechanics, so I think his accuracy will improve and Walter also can handle and create a bit and should only improve. Gradey Dick is in his third year now so he doesn’t qualify. Shead is going to get plenty of time, but while I think fellow sophomores Jonathan Mogbo and Jamison Battle bring some NBA skills to the table and belong on rosters, I’m not sure either carve out roles this year.
Pierro @Oliaros2: There is a significant number of seemingly quality unsigned vets available. Should the Raptors take a gamble on any of them for cheap or stay the course with the young blood?”
Advertisement 6
Article content
RW: They just didn’t have the salary cap flexibility to add a veteran. In fact, at least for now, they’re going a player short (something a bunch of teams are doing, an unexpected consequence of the new collective bargaining agreement and the punishing luxury tax). Garrett Temple fills the role. I could see more veterans being added next season though.
BOBBY WEBSTER’S THE NEW BOSS
Guavo Centauri @guavocentauri.bsky.social: With the Raptors’ front office down one talent evaluator, is Bobby looking to add another member to his F.O staff?
RW: I think they just ran out of time on this front. Webster said he’s open to adding, but he got the job pretty late and was more interested in evaluating everything in-house, where they can improve, etc. If the Raptors have a good season and Webster cements his status as head of basketball operations, then I think a front office add becomes likely.
Advertisement 7
Article content
Ghorton1111 @ghorton1111.bsky.social: Is there any correlation between everyone talking up how good and physical a defender CMB is, and Barnes pre-season aversion to the post and love of the jumpshot? Like has battling/struggling in the post in practice against CMB think he can’t bully ordinary defenders anymore too?
RW: Again, this one was sent before Barnes went back to bully ball and started clobbering opponents like The Hulk or The Thing. I think Barnes, while a bit tired from battling Murray-Boyles, was more just coasting into the season. The pre-season doesn’t mean anything and he’s primed for a big season after two injury-plagued ones. No sense wasting too much in those games. Over the last week Barnes has reestablished himself as a player who can still go right through defenders. He shot 5-for-7 on contested shot attempts, had four dunks and really tried to take advantage when matched up with a similar-sized, or smaller opponent.
Advertisement 8
Article content
Nathan Sizemore @nathansizemore.bsky.social: What’s the over/under on games where the bench mob erases a deficit and grinds out a win for the starters this year?
RW: I’ll go with 12. I like the reserves a lot, with a caveat: I don’t think we see a true five-man bench mob all that often. Rajakovic will let Barnes, Quickley, Barrett and Ingram play with three or four reserves a lot.
Phil G: I love this current squad, but as per usual in recent years, we lack centre depth. If Jak gets injured and misses 8ish weeks, how do you think the Raptors stay afloat? He is so crucial to their success.
RW: Fans won’t like this answer, but if any of Poeltl, Quickley or Barnes miss two months, they are heading back to the lottery. I might even go as far as to say that losing Poeltl, out of any single player, long-term, would be most damaging. No Quickley would be troublesome, given the lack of point guard depth and because he’s arguably the best shooter on the squad, but they might be able to tread water without him. Barnes obviously is the top all-around player, but maybe Collin Murray-Boyles and Mogbo could plug a lot of the defensive holes that would be left by a Barnes absence, at least enough for them to get by. Lose Poeltl though, and it gets really dicey. Who defends and rebounds against NBA centres. Barnes and Mamukelashvili can do it for some minutes but not full-time. Mogbo is too skinny, Murray-Boyles too inexperienced (at least for now, plus he has a height disadvantage against centres).
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments