The Toronto Raptors are expected to sign head coach Darko Rajakovic and general manager Bobby Webster to contract extensions.
The Raptors just finished up what can only be considered a highly successful season for a young team on the rise. One year after winning just 30 games, the Raptors made serious strides this year, earning 46 victories and the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors then pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers hard for seven games in the playoffs, ultimately falling to the Cavs 4-3. Still, it was a great showing by one of the league’s youngest teams, and it puts them in a good spot moving forward.
Raptors Expected to Extend Coach, GM
Coming off a very good year, it’s not surprising that the Raptors want to extend their head coach and general manager. Both coach Rajakovic and GM Webster only have one more year left on their contracts, so rather than making them lame ducks heading into next season, the organization is planning on signing them both to contract extensions.
Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported on Thursday that both Rajakovic and Webster are expected to sign new deals in the next few weeks.
“It’s expected that both general manager Bobby Webster and head coach Darko Rajakovic will be offered contract extensions in the coming weeks, Sportsnet has learned. Each of them have another year left on their current deal,” Grange wrote.
“The timing, length and any other details related to an agreement with Webster are still to be determined as there have yet to be formal discussions with MLSE beyond a mutual understanding that there is a deal to be had. New terms with Rajakovic — who had a year added to his initial three-year deal in the second half of the 2024-25 season — will likely be Webster’s call.”
The Future is Bright for the Raptors
The future is very bright for the Raptors. Coming off an excellent year where they made the playoffs and pushed a talented, veteran-laden Cavs’ team to the brink of elimination, things can only go up from here for the Raptors.
Obviously, it all starts with superstar Scottie Barnes, the team’s franchise player. Barnes had an amazing season as he earned his second All-Star Game nod and likely a spot on the All-Defensive team, as well. He played great during the regular season, but he took his game to a whole new level in the playoffs, showing the entire NBA world that he’s an elite two-way player.
The Raptors also received a strong rookie season from Collin Murray-Boyles, plus second-year player Ja’Kobe Walter took a massive step forward. This doesn’t even mention the Raptors’ other All-Star, Brandon Ingram, nor RJ Barrett, who showed in the playoffs that he’s the team’s secret weapon. When healthy, Immanuel Quickley also played well for the team.
Of course, the Raptors have improvements to make, and they will likely try to see if they can find a new home for declining center Jakob Poeltl this offseason after he had a down year. But with all of their draft picks in their possession and with future salary cap flexibility coming up, the Raptors can make trades to improve their roster, giving their fans plenty of reason to be optimistic going forward.
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