Toronto Raptors
In 1946, the Toronto Raptors competed against the New York Knickerbockers in the first game in NBA history. At the time, the NBA was known as the American Basketball Association; the Raptors were known as the Toronto Huskies. The Huskies folded shortly thereafter. But the franchise reemerged in 1993 when NBA Commissioner David Stern’s recommendation for a Toronto expansion team was approved.
Toronto team management chose “Raptors” from 11 team names submitted by NBA fans. Isiah Thomas, the franchise’s first general manager, helped create the roster via the NBA’s 1995 expansion draft. After the Raptors endured several years of poor seasons, draft-day acquisition Vince Carter guided the team to its first playoff series in 2001. Chris Bosh led the team for several seasons of success in the post-Carter years.
After Bosh’s departure to Miami, Toronto experienced a slump that only ended when DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry arrived, helping Toronto earn five Division titles. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Marc Gasol joined the team — sans DeRozan — in 2018. The Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019, the finale of a successful season that also included Toronto’s first Eastern Conference title.
- Founded: 1995
- Championships: 1 championship (2019)
- Additional achievements: 1 conference title (2019) and seven division titles (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Arena: Scotiabank Arena
- Former team name: Toronto Huskies
Featured Articles:
Kawhi Leonard Reveals an Unexpected Reason Why He Couldn’t Stay With the Raptors
Pascal Siakam Taught the Toronto Raptors a Lesson in Respect Before Rewarding Their Commitment to Him
Kyle Lowry Once Found Himself Facing a Battery Charge After Things Got Heated During a Pickup Game
Visit the Toronto Raptors at NBA.com.
Read the latest articles about the Toronto Raptors:
According to Chris Haynes, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard has entered concussion protocol. He will miss Tuesday’s NBA Cup game against the Toronto Raptors. Sources: Damian Lillard received hit to head near end of third quarter against Celtics on Sunday. Experienced headaches and dizziness today. Tests confirmed a concussion. There’s a possibility he could be […]
At the dawn of the new NBA season, stars take center stage. We shouldn’t forget the unsung contributors to basketball success, though. Our group of experts wrote about one role player they believe deserves some spotlight through the first week and a half of the year. Jay Huff Huff has been somewhat of a revelation […]
The NBA season is around the corner, and to preview the upcoming year, our group of experts has been asked to think of one question for every team. Here it is for the Atlantic division! Boston Celtics: How volatile is their center situation? If there is anything that the last two seasons have taught us, […]
I’ll be the first person to tell you that lineup data is tricky. While it is a valuable tool for sifting through what works and what doesn’t for any NBA team, it often doesn’t provide the whole picture and is filled with an abundance of ‘noise.’ Besides, it all comes down to sample size, and […]
The Toronto Raptors and guard Immanuel Quickley have negotiated a five-year, $175 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Quickley’s agent, Raymond Brothers, reached agreement with the Raptors’ front office in the last day on deal. Toronto Raptors had the option of extending a qualifying offer worth $6.1 million to Immanuel Quickley Toronto had the […]
Where will O.G. Anunoby end up at the NBA trade deadline?
A Kevin Durant trade seems inevitable, but Woj reports that he might end up with an Eastern Conference team that you’re not thinking of.
Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter grew up playing basketball together without knowing they were cousins.
Joel Embiid has lost respect for the Toronto Raptors’ fan base.
The rebounds prop for Tobias Harris offers tremendous betting value for Game 5.
