The Toronto Raptors are gearing up for the 2026-27 NBA season, with head coach Darko Rajakovic second favorite to win Coach of the Year at +900, just behind Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse at +850.
What's at Stake?
The Raptors are expected to improve significantly, with Kawhi Leonard, a seven-time All-Star, coming off a career-high 27.9 points per game. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of 2W-0D-3L in their last five games, including a 114-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on 2026-05-03.
Key Players
Leonard will be joined by a young core, including Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes, who are all expected to improve this season. The team has also made some key additions, including rookie Allen Graves and free agent signing Kyle Anderson.
Coach of the Year Odds
Rajakovic has proven himself to be one of the best coaches in the business, particularly in terms of player development. With the team's expected improvement, he has a strong chance of winning Coach of the Year. The Raptors' schedule will be challenging, with several marquee matchups in the first 21 games, including games against top Eastern Conference teams.
Eastern Conference Standings
If the Raptors can survive the early difficulties, they should be able to rise in the standings and make a push for the playoffs. With Leonard leading the team, they have the potential to beat any team on a given night. The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, may not have given them a game on Opening Week or Christmas Day, but the team is still expected to make some noise in the Eastern Conference. The path is clear for Rajakovic to win Coach of the Year, and it will be exciting to see how the season unfolds for the Toronto Raptors, coming off a loss in their last game, and having lost their last two games, with a recent form of LLWWL, most recent first.
