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— CH. 1 · EXPANSION AND FOUNDING —

Toronto Raptors

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  • On the 3rd of November 1995, the Toronto Raptors played their first official game against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome. Alvin Robertson scored the first points in franchise history during a 94, 79 victory. The team had been formalized on the 4th of November 1993, when the NBA Board of Governors awarded its 28th franchise to a group headed by John Bitove for US$125 million. This fee was a record expansion cost at the time. The ownership group included Allan Slaight of Slaight Communications and the Bank of Nova Scotia as minority partners. Before the inaugural season began, sales of Raptors merchandise ranked seventh in the league. The name "Raptors" was unveiled on Canadian national television on the 15th of May 1994. The choice was influenced by the popularity of the 1993 film Jurassic Park. The team colors were bright red, purple, black, and silver. Naismith silver honored James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Isiah Thomas served as the first general manager.

  • In February 1998, the Raptors traded Antawn Jamison to the Golden State Warriors for Vince Carter, who was selected fifth overall in the 1998 NBA draft. Carter won the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with emphatic performances that attracted many fans previously uninterested in basketball. During the 1999, 2000 season, the team finished with a 45, 37 record after playing four years at SkyDome before moving to Air Canada Centre. The franchise made its first playoff appearance in 2000 but lost three games to the New York Knicks. In 2001, Toronto defeated New York 3, 2 to win their first-ever playoff series. They advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia. Game 7 came down to the last few seconds when Carter's potential series-winning shot rolled off the rim. Despite criticism over his attendance at a graduation ceremony, the 2001 season remains a watermark for the franchise. Carter led the team to 47 wins and became the top vote-getter for the All-Star game three consecutive years. He suffered patellar tendinitis in November 2002, missing the rest of the season.

  • Vince Carter was traded mid-season in February 2004 to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning and other assets. Chris Bosh emerged as the new franchise player following Carter's departure. Bryan Colangelo was appointed general manager on the 27th of February 2006. The roster included Andrea Bargnani, selected first overall in the 2006 NBA draft. The 2006, 07 season saw the Raptors finish with a 47, 35 record and secure the Atlantic Division title. Sam Mitchell won Coach of the Year honors that same year. However, the following campaign ended in disappointment after injuries derailed progress. Bargnani struggled to play consistently while key players like Garbajosa and Ford missed significant time. In 2008, the team acquired Jermaine O'Neal from Indiana but fired head coach Jay Triano after an 8, 9 start. The 2010, 11 season resulted in only 22 wins after Chris Bosh signed with Miami Heat. Kyle Lowry was acquired from Houston Rockets during the 2012 off-season. The team finished 34, 48 in 2012, 13 despite winning 21 home games.

  • Masai Ujiri became general manager in the 2013 off-season and immediately traded Andrea Bargnani to New York Knicks for Marcus Camby and other assets. The Raptors went 10, 3 after trading Rudy Gay on the 9th of December 2013. They clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 by beating Boston Celtics 105, 103 on the 28th of March 2014. DeMar DeRozan was selected to play in the All-Star game that year. The franchise won its third consecutive Atlantic Division title in 2016 with a 56, 26 record. This marked the best regular season ever for Toronto. The team hosted the 2016 NBA All-Star Game on the 14th of February 2016. In the playoffs, they defeated Indiana Pacers in seven games before losing to Cleveland Cavaliers four games to two. On the 1st of January 2018, DeMar DeRozan scored a franchise-record 52 points against Milwaukee Bucks. The team finished with 59 wins during the 2017, 18 season, setting records for single-season wins and home victories.

  • On the 18th of July 2018, the Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Leonard became a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. During the trade deadline, Jonas Valančiūnas was sent to Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol. The team started the 2018, 19 season with a 6, 0 record, breaking their franchise record for best start through 20 games. They reached 20 wins quicker than any time in history by winning their 24th game on December 1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Leonard hit a 15-foot buzzer-beater in Game 7 against Philadelphia 76ers to lift Toronto to 92, 90 victory. This marked the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA playoff history. The Raptors defeated Golden State Warriors four games to two to win their first championship. Leonard earned Finals MVP honors. They became the first team based outside the United States to win an NBA title since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993.

  • Kawhi Leonard signed with Los Angeles Clippers after one season following the 2019 championship. Pascal Siakam made his first All-NBA Second Team during the 2019, 20 campaign. The team won 53 games in a season shortened by COVID-19 pandemic. Playoffs began later than usual in August at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. Boston Celtics eliminated Toronto in seven games despite OG Anunoby scoring a buzzer-beater to win Game 3. For the 2020, 21 season, home games were played at Amalie Arena in Tampa due to travel restrictions. The Raptors missed playoffs for the first time in eight years after losing 129, 105 to Detroit Pistons on the 3rd of March 2021. Scottie Barnes was selected fourth overall in the 2021 NBA draft from Florida State. He won Rookie of the Year in 2022. Kyle Lowry was traded to Miami Heat on the 10th of September 2021. In January 2024, Pascal Siakam was traded to Indiana Pacers leaving Scottie Barnes as the new face of the franchise.

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Common questions

When did the Toronto Raptors play their first official game?

The Toronto Raptors played their first official game on the 3rd of November 1995 against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome. Alvin Robertson scored the first points in franchise history during a 94, 79 victory.

Who won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the Toronto Raptors in 2000?

Vince Carter won the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with emphatic performances that attracted many fans previously uninterested in basketball. He was selected fifth overall in the 1998 NBA draft before joining the team.

What year did the Toronto Raptors win their first championship?

The Toronto Raptors won their first championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors four games to two during the 2018, 19 season. Kawhi Leonard earned Finals MVP honors and became the first player based outside the United States to win an NBA title since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993.

When was the Toronto Raptors name officially unveiled to the public?

The name Raptors was unveiled on Canadian national television on the 15th of May 1994. The choice was influenced by the popularity of the 1993 film Jurassic Park and featured bright red, purple, black, and silver colors.

Which general manager led the Toronto Raptors to their first playoff berth since 2008?

Masai Ujiri became general manager in the 2013 off-season and immediately traded Andrea Bargnani to New York Knicks for Marcus Camby and other assets. The team clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 by beating Boston Celtics 105, 103 on the 28th of March 2014.

See all questions about Toronto Raptors →

All sources

263 references cited across the entry

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  147. 148webNets vs. Raptors - Game Recap - May 4, 2014 - ESPN
  148. 149web2015–2016 Division regular season standings
  149. 150webRaptors clinch Atlantic title with win over LakersBrady, Rachel — March 27, 2015
  150. 151newsRaptors beat Heat, tie franchise win recordReynolds, Tim — April 11, 2015
  151. 152webToronto Raptors embarrassed by Washington Wizards in playoff sweep, leaving questions about team's future
  152. 153webRaptors announce D-League team: 'Raptors 905′Michael Grange — sportsnet — June 29, 2015
  153. 154webRaptors beat Hawks 105-97 to notch first 50-win seasonDaniel Girard — NBA Media Ventures — March 30, 2016
  154. 155webRaptors clinch Atlantic Division title with Celtics' loss to Blazers - Sportsnet.ca
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  158. 159webRaptors' magic season ends with Game 6 loss to CavaliersIan Harrison — CBC.ca — May 27, 2016
  159. 160newsOrlando Magic trade Serge Ibaka to Toronto RaptorsNBA Media Ventures
  160. 161newsReport: Suns trade P.J. Tucker to Raptors for Jared Sullinger
  161. 162webDeRozan scores franchise-high 52, Raptors beat Bucks 131-127January 1, 2018
  162. 163webGame Preview: Raptors vs. RocketsHolly MacKenzie — March 9, 2018
  163. 164webToronto Raptors beat Indiana Pacers to clinch top spot in NBA's Eastern ConferenceApril 6, 2018
  164. 165newsRaptors Make History After Being Swept By The CavaliersAlex Hoegler — May 8, 2018
  165. 166webDwane Casey Relieved Of Head Coaching DutiesMay 11, 2018
  166. 167webSpurs obtain Demar DeRozan, Jacob Poeltl and first round pick from raptors in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny GreenNBA Media Ventures — July 18, 2018
  167. 168newsKawhi Leonard Spent the NBA Season Hibernating. Now He's DominatingBen Cohen — May 8, 2019
  168. 169newsRaptors close deal for Marc GasolNBA Media Ventures — February 7, 2019
  169. 170webRaptors get Gasol from Grizzlies - TSN.caFebruary 7, 2019
  170. 171newsRaptors Sign Jeremy LinFebruary 13, 2019
  171. 172newsRaptors stop Mavericks for franchise-best start at 6-0Laura Armstrong — Torstar Corporation — October 26, 2018
  172. 173webKawhi Leonard leads Raptors to win over WizardsRogers Digital Media — November 23, 2018
  173. 174webLeonard leads Raptors to victory over Cavaliers in eighth straight winTom Withers — Corus Entertainment Inc. — December 2, 2018
  174. 175webToronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards - January 13, 2019
  175. 176news2019 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Magic vs. Raptors
  176. 177webKawhi ousts Sixers with unprecedented shotMay 12, 2019
  177. 178news2019 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Raptors vs. Bucks
  178. 179newsGolden State Warriors Favored To Win NBA Finals In 5 Or 6 Games; Steph Curry MVP Favorite
  179. 180webHow the Raptors Won Their First N.B.A. ChampionshipJune 13, 2019
  180. 181webToronto Raptors Are Kings Of The NBA And The Toast Of CanadaCurtis Rush — June 13, 2019
  181. 182newsKawhi Leonard Officially Signs with ClippersJuly 10, 2019
  182. 183magazineRaptors Conclude Winningest Season in Franchise HistoryAaron Rose — August 14, 2020
  183. 184newsToronto's Nick Nurse Named NBA Coach of the YearKurt Helin — August 22, 2020
  184. 185newsRaptors Ride Bench to Sweep of Nets, First Playoff Series with CelticsAndrew Lopez — August 23, 2020
  185. 186newsCeltics vs. Raptors Score: Boston Holds On to Pull Off Win in Game 7 Over TorontoSam Quinn — September 12, 2020
  186. 187webToronto Raptors to play home games in Tampa to open NBA seasonNovember 20, 2020
  187. 188magazineWhat We Know About the Toronto Raptors COVID-19 IssuesAaron Rose
  188. 189magazineRaptors Game Postponed Due To Health & Safety ReasonsFebruary 28, 2021
  189. 190webDetroit Pistons use red-hot shooting to cruise past shorthanded Toronto RaptorsGilbert McGregor — NBA — March 4, 2021
  190. 191newsRaptors remain severely short-handed as team readies for Celtics
  191. 192webRaptors select Scottie Barnes with No. 4 pick in 2021 NBA Draft
  192. 193webHEAT ACQUIRE KYLE LOWRYAugust 6, 2021
  193. 194newsToronto Raptors approved by Canadian government to play at home arenaSeptember 10, 2021
  194. 195webHistory in the making? Raptors alive and well as Philly fans turn on 76ers
  195. 196webToronto's Scottie Barnes wins 2021-22 Kia Rookie of the Year award
  196. 197webSIAKAM NAMED TO ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
  197. 198webNick Nurse out as coach of RaptorsApril 21, 2023
  198. 199webRaptors hire Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as coachJune 13, 2025
  199. 200webRaptors trade OG Anunoby to Knicks in exchange for RJ BarrettDecember 31, 2023
  200. 201webPacers acquire Pascal Siakam in trade with Raptors, PelicansJanuary 17, 2024
  201. 202webRaptors get Brandon Ingram in trade with PelicansFebruary 6, 2025
  202. 203press releaseRaptors Unveil New Primary LogoNBA Media Ventures — December 19, 2014
  203. 204press releaseRaptors Unveil New UniformsNBA Media Ventures — August 3, 2015
  204. 205press releaseNike and the NBA Reveal the First of the League's 2017-18 Game UniformsNike — June 18, 2017
  205. 206press releaseRaptors Announce Hardwood Classics Schedule and Unveil Huskies UniformNBA Media Ventures — December 7, 2009
  206. 207press releaseRaptors unveil their incredible Toronto Huskies throwback courtsbnation.com — November 12, 2016
  207. 208press releaseToronto Huskies & Chinese New Year UniformsNBA Media Ventures — August 23, 2016
  208. 209webRaptors News: Toronto Unveils St. Patrick's Day JerseysPeter Bojarinov — March 17, 2008
  209. 210webRaptors Host Annual Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation NightJanuary 28, 2015
  210. 211webNBA Salary Cap FAQ – 2011 Collective Bargaining AgreementLarry Coon
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