Toronto Raptors

48-34, lost in conference first-round series

Overview: Masai Ujiri believes his Raptors are building toward something big. They’re just not all the way there yet. The 2019 NBA champions haven’t been past the second round of the playoffs since beating the Golden State Warriors for their first title. Nevertheless, their team president is preaching patience with his young squad, choosing consistency and continuity over sweeping change. The Raptors have 14 returning players this season, more than any other team in the league. Raptors forward Pascal Siakam was the league’s most improved player the year Toronto won the title. Last year he returned from offseason shoulder surgery to average 22.8 points and a career-best 8.5 rebounds. An All-NBA player twice in the past three years, Siakam has set lofty personal goals for the coming season. With reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes starting alongside him, plus veterans such as point guard Fred VanVleet and defensive specialist O.G. Anunoby, Siakam said he feels good about the direction the Raptors are headed.

Quote: “He has played great and we needed him out there,” coach Nick Nurse said of VanVleet. “We’ve got more depth. I think we learned in the playoffs we can move pieces a lot better and do some things.”