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One of the youngest NBA franchises, the Toronto Raptors were founded in 1995 as part of the league’s expansion in Canada. They struggled in the first few years of their existence as most expansion teams do but they quickly turned their fortunes around in 1998.
It was because they acquired Vince Carter via a draft day trade with the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Antawn Jamison. Carter was the first superstar for the Raptors and he changed the culture of basketball in Canada, inspiring some of the NBA’s best players from the North today.
After Carter’s tumultuous exit from the Raptors, the team was stuck in limbo until Chris Bosh blossomed into an All-Star. Bosh also left Toronto acrimoniously to join LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in Miami.
The best was yet to come for the Raptors as the duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry helped the team become perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference. Now, the Raptors are in the Kawhi Leonard Era. But nevertheless, the Raptors have produced a handful of great players in their 24-year existence. Here are the team’s all-time starting five.
Center – Jonas Valanciunas
With only a few options at the center position, Jonas Valanciunas gets the nod over Antonio Davis. Valanciunas has played more games for the Raptors than Davis and he is already in the top ten of the Raptors’ leaderboard. The Lithuanian ranks second in rebounds and third in blocks, possibly getting the top spot if he stays in Toronto for the rest of his career.
Even though he has not fulfilled his All-Star potential, Valanciunas has been a good player and key in the Raptors offense. He has adapted his game in the modern NBA and he is being used correctly in the past couple of seasons. If he continues his career with the Raptors, his No. 17 jersey could be hanging from the rafters after his retirement.
Honorable Mention: Center – Antonio Davis
Named an All-Star in 2001 as part of the Raptors, Antonio Davis had his best years in Toronto. He was an important part of the early 2000s Raptors as the team’s leader. The team made the playoffs three times during Davis’ four-and-a-half-year stint.
Guard – Kyle Lowry
A late bloomer, Kyle Lowry was just a role player for the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets in the first six years of his career. When he was traded to the Raptors in 2012, he was just a backup to Jose Calderon in his first season. However, Lowry turned it around and became one of the best point guards in the league, and in franchise history.
Lowry is a three-time All-Star for the Raptors and he was even named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016. He ranks fourth in all-time points, sixth in rebounds, second in assists, soon-to-be-first in steals, first in three-pointers made, and fifth in total field goals made. He will climb the all-time ladder if he stays in Toronto and his No. 7 jersey will surely be retired by the Raptors.
Honorable Mention: Guard – Jose Calderon
Spending eight seasons with the Raptors, Jose Calderon is one of the best Raptors ever. He will have his jersey retired by the franchise someday. Calderon ranks third in total games played for the Raptors, seventh in points, first in assists, seventh in steals, sixth in three-pointers made, and first in free throw percentage.
Guard – DeMar DeRozan
Although his unlikely trade to the San Antonio Spurs was surprising, there is no doubt that DeMar DeRozan is a Raptors legend. DeRozan spent nine seasons with the Raptors and blossomed into one of the best scorers in the NBA. He was a four-time All-Star during his time in Toronto, starting twice.
DeRozan holds the top spot in some of the Raptors franchise records including games played, most minutes played, points scored, field goals made, and free throws made. He ranks fifth in rebounds, third in assists and steals. He is still bitter about his trade but his No. 10 jersey will eventually get retired by the Raptors once he hangs up his sneakers.
Honorable Mention: Guard – Alvin Williams
An integral part of the Raptors’ early success in the Vince Carter Era, Alvin Williams was a gritty guard that was the heart of the team. He played eight seasons with the Raptors and he hit one of the most iconic shots in franchise history during the 2001 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks.
Forward – Chris Bosh
Drafted fourth overall in 2003, Chris Bosh was the perfect second option behind Vince Carter. However, a season later, Bosh was the face of the franchise after Carter’s trade. Bosh lived up to the expectations as he led the team to their first ever Atlantic Division Title in 2007, along with two playoff appearances.
Bosh departed Toronto in 2010 to join the Miami Heat wherein he won two NBA championships alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. He was a five-time All-Star with the Raptors and named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2007. He ranks second in total points, first in rebounds, eighth in assists, and first in blocks in the franchise leaderboard.
Honorable Mention: Andrea Bargnani
The only first overall pick in Raptors history, Andrea Bargnani never became the next Dirk Nowitzki but he carved out a good, seven-year career in Toronto. He sits seventh in total games played for the Raptors, fifth in total points scored, seventh in rebounds, and sixth in blocks.
Forward – Vince Carter
Vince Carter is not only a Toronto Raptors legend but also a Canadian sports icon. Carter influenced a lot of current Canadian NBA stars such as Andrew Wiggins and Jamal Murray.
He could also be credited with the increase in popularity of basketball in Canada. Carter electrified the league with his high-flying dunks and became one of the best players of his generation.
“Vinsanity” only spent five and a half seasons in Toronto but he made a lasting impact. He is third in total points scored, eighth in rebounds, sixth in assists, fourth in blocks, and fifth in steals. His departure left a bad taste in many Raptors fans’ mouths but he has already been forgiven. Without a doubt, his iconic No. 15 jersey will be retired once he decides to end his career.
Honorable Mention: Morris Peterson
A consistent player for the Raptors throughout his seven-year tenure, Morris Peterson holds the franchise record for consecutive games played at 371. He is second in total games played, sixth in total points scored, ninth in rebounds and assists, fourth in steals, and second in three-points made.
