The Raptors' post-title rebuild came sooner than expected — and Kawhi leaving wasn't the start of downfall - Toronto Star

That first season after the title, interrupted by the start of the COVID pandemic, ended with a Raptors team that could absolutely have won a weirder championship, locked in a hotel complex in Florida. But Pascal Siakam got lost in the reshaping of the world, didn’t touch a ball for three months, and that was the difference.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The Beaten Path

The Beaten Path: Part 1

The Beaten Path: Part 2

The Beaten Path: Part 3

After winning their first NBA title in 2019, the Raptors built a team around a core four of Fred VanVleet, from right, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.

Mark Blinch / Getty Images

Raptors president Masai Ujiri, left, presents Scottie Barnes with the NBA rookie of the year trophy in April 2022.

Cole Burston / Getty Images

RJ Barrett, left, and Immanuel Quickley were acquired by Toronto in the trade that sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks. 

Vaughn Ridley / NBAE via Getty Images

Raptors president Masai Ujiri, centre, selected Baylor guard Ja’Kobe Walter, right, 19th overall in the first round of the NBA draft in June, then grabbed University of San Francisco forward Jonathan Mogbo with the first pick of the second round, 31st overall.

Steve Russell / Toronto Star

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdGFyLmNvbS9zcG9ydHMvcmFwdG9ycy90aGUtcmFwdG9ycy1wb3N0LXRpdGxlLXJlYnVpbGQtY2FtZS1zb29uZXItdGhhbi1leHBlY3RlZC1hbmQta2F3aGktbGVhdmluZy13YXNudC10aGUtc3RhcnQvYXJ0aWNsZV9kY2IyMThlMC0yNzNjLTExZWYtOGEyMS03MzRmZTNmODEzNmMuaHRtbNIBAA?oc=5

2024-07-10 12:25:20Z
CBMiswFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdGFyLmNvbS9zcG9ydHMvcmFwdG9ycy90aGUtcmFwdG9ycy1wb3N0LXRpdGxlLXJlYnVpbGQtY2FtZS1zb29uZXItdGhhbi1leHBlY3RlZC1hbmQta2F3aGktbGVhdmluZy13YXNudC10aGUtc3RhcnQvYXJ0aWNsZV9kY2IyMThlMC0yNzNjLTExZWYtOGEyMS03MzRmZTNmODEzNmMuaHRtbNIBAA