After Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka signed their new contracts, it was clear the Raptors were turning a page for 2017-18. No longer a veteran rotation with young talent developing in the background, the salary cap was forcing that background talent to grow up. The Baby Raps are going to have to play, and play well, for the team to succeed.
Well, one week in and I’m ecstatic. Top to bottom, the 25-and-under Raptors that make up 10 of the 15 roster spots look like they’ve all taken a leap over the summer. Everyone’s a gym rat, everyone’s playing #ProveEm basketball, and the Raptors bench unit has turned into an overnight League Pass sensation.