The Toronto Raptors are a relatively young franchise. Being created at the start of the 1995-96 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors were able to capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. In their 24 years, the Toronto Raptors have had many great talents pass through their roster. Some of those talents leaving a much bigger mark than others. Although relatively young, the franchise’s history has had more than enough talent to form a strong Toronto Raptors All-Time team.
All-Time Toronto Raptors Team
Starting Five
Point Guard – Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry found his way to Toronto by way of a trade from the Houston Rockets in 2012. Toronto gave up Gary Forbes and a future first-round pick (which materialized into Steven Adams for the Oklahoma City Thunder). For Gary Forbes and Steven Adams, Toronto was able to get the best point guard they have had and one of the cornerstones for their first real playoff successes over the past four seasons.
Lowry has set numerous records for the Raptors in his now seven years there. He has become their all-time three-point leader, as well as leading in numerous advanced stats such as offensive, defensive, and overall win shares. Although he has had disappearing acts in the playoffs, he shone brightly during their championship run. Providing great leadership and as a side piece to Kawhi Leonard, averaging 16.2 points per game, 7.2 assists per game and 4 rebounds.
Shooting Guard – Vince Carter
The man nicknamed Air Canada, Vinsanity and Half-Man/Half-Amazing, Vince Carter was the first iconic face of the Toronto Raptors franchise. The most recognizable face of the Raptors basketball, Carter was the man to lead the team to their first-ever playoff appearance and their first playoff series win the next year. Carter was reliable for the Raptors in the playoffs, putting up career playoff averages of 25.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5 assists during his 15 playoff games with the franchise.
Carter was also a great player during the regular season, averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. But what Carter will most be remembered for while being a player for the Toronto Raptors will not be the playoff performances, it’ll be his style and flair he brought to the Raptors jersey. Known for his style and ability to jump out of buildings, the most iconic image of Vince Carter, donning the Raptors jersey, will be his legendary performance in the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest.
Small Forward – Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is the best player the Toronto Raptors have ever had, bar none. Even though Leonard was only with the team for one season, he was the undisputed leader of the Raptors. He was able to do what no other player has done and that was lead the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship.
You won’t be finding Leonard on any of the all-time leaderboards for the Raptors, and that’s fair, he did spend only one year with them. He will regardless hold a special place in the hearts of Raptors fans thought. Kawhi Leonard was the team’s first Finals MVP and first true superstar talent. What Leonard did in his one year in Toronto, will always leave him a spot on any All-Time Toronto Raptors team list.
Power Forward – Pascal Siakam
The Raptors seem to be pretty thin at the forward position. Tracy McGrady had some pretty uninspiring years on the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani knew how to shoot, and not much else. Pascal Siakam is a real bright star though, well he definitely has the potential. It may be a bit early to put him in an all-time team, but Siakam showed up where it mattered the most, the NBA Finals.
During the NBA Finals, Siakam posted averages of 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This was an uptick from the 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game during the regular season, which netted him Most Improved Player honors.
Although you won’t be finding his name in Raptors record books yet, he will no doubt find himself there if he sticks around. Being able to perform at that level at a young age and during his first NBA Finals leaves Siakam with the world at his feet. Now with Kawhi Leonard gone, we will get to see if Siakam can build and become the star we all know he can.
Center – Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh was one of the best players to ever go through the Toronto Raptors organization, as well as one of the most beloved. After being taken fourth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, the impact Bosh had wasn’t immediate. In his fourth season though, Bosh was able to lead Toronto to their first Division Championship.
When Chris Bosh left the Raptors in 2010 for the Miami Heat, he left his mark all over the Toronto record books. He left as the all-time leader in points, total rebounds, and blocks. Bosh averaged 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game over his 7-year Raptor career.
Bench
Guard – Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet may be small, but he is certainly a big contributor. VanVleet has been a reliable contributor off the bench since he came into the league. Having a relatively quiet regular season during 2018-19 averaging 11.0 points and 4.8 assists, VanVleet went into the playoffs even quieter. Averaging only 8.0pts and 2.6 assists over the playoffs, you may question VanVleet’s contributions.
Once the NBA Finals rolled around VanVleet improved on his scoring average, averaging 14 points throughout the whole NBA Finals, scoring less than 10 points in only one of the six games. This includes VanVleet going off for 22 points in the decisive Game 6.
VanVleet finds himself a spot on this list due to his reliability in crunch time. While he isn’t the most tenured point-guard, he definitely is one of the most valuable guards the Raptors have had and deserving of a spot on the Toronto Raptors all-time team.
Guard – DeMar DeRozan
There would be a very fair argument that DeMar DeRozan should occupy a spot in the starting lineup. DeRozan had been the face of the franchise during their most successful period, but his spot in the lineup was usurped by greatness and an iconic legacy. DeRozan is a household name amongst Raptors fans and was definitely one of the greatest Raptors. Being the all-time leader in games has allowed DeRozan to leave his name all over the Raptors record books. Over nine seasons, DeRozan was a four-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Selection.
The worst part about DeRozan and his Raptors tenure is he’ll always be a footnote for the greatest season in Raptors history. Being the main piece of the trade that brought Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green (and eventually a championship) to Toronto.
Forward – Morris Peterson
Morris Peterson had a very quiet NBA career. Although he had a quiet career, he has his marks all over the Toronto Raptors record books. This would be expected of the man who has played the second-most games in franchise history. Be it points, rebounds, assists, steals he’s in the top 10 for all those counting stats. The only one he is didn’t find his way on to was blocks.
Peterson definitely wasn’t the greatest player for the Raptors, not the most stylish, or skilled or even the most impressive. Registering 12 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Raptors over seven seasons isn’t even necessarily impressive. It’s the reliability and the longevity that Peterson had in a Raptors jersey that lands him on this list.
Forward – Amir Johnson
Amir Johnson isn’t the flashiest player. He is a gritty and hard-nosed defensive presence. What he will lack in offensive firepower he more than makes up for with his defensive presence and ability. While with the Raptors, Johnson averaged 8.8 points and 6.3 rebounds over six NBA seasons. Johnson was a beloved player and has left his mark all over the Raptors record books, especially in the advanced metrics sections.
Center – Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas was the first real center the Raptors employed while building and maintaining a competitive roster. Valnciunas was drafted in 2012 and almost immediately became the everyday center for the Raptors. Although Valnciunas wasn’t the most skilled or athletically gifted big man, he gave the Raptors a consistent down low presence. During the playoffs, Valanciunas averaged 12.7 points and 9.4 rebounds, providing valuable and reliable rebounding for the Raptors.
Valanciunas doesn’t have the most amazing big man statistics. Only averaging 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for his Raptors career. That is also skimming over the fact he barely averaged one block in his Raptors career. This just shows how thin the Raptors are in terms of having a truly great center in their history.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
