A former Toronto Raptors coach isn’t buying into the preseason buzz around this team.
Sam Mitchell, speaking on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio last weekend, projected Toronto to finish eighth in the Eastern Conference in his 2026-27 predictions - good enough to squeeze into the playoffs, but not nearly enough to be taken as a true contender. Mitchell had the Raptors trailing the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
That skepticism lined up with a point SiriusXM NBA Radio host Brian Geltzeiler made about Toronto’s 2025-26 season.
"Toronto last year got a bump feasting on very bad competition and didn't do well against good teams," said SiriusXM NBA Radio host Brian Geltzeiler.
Mitchell agreed.
The numbers back up that concern. Toronto went 20-28 against teams with winning records last season, while finishing 22-8 against teams that ended up below .500.
Another big question hanging over Toronto is Kawhi Leonard’s availability. Mitchell and Geltzeiler both raised the issue of whether Leonard will be on the floor enough to push the Raptors into legitimate East contender territory. The 35-year-old has played more than 65 games in two of his last three seasons.
Mitchell’s forecast may not feel all that shocking to Raptors fans, either. He reportedly made a similar call after Toronto first traded for Leonard ahead of the 2018-19 season.
And everyone in Toronto knows how that season ended.
Mitchell coached the Raptors for parts of five seasons from 2004 to 2008, before he was let go 17 games into the 2008-09 season after an 8-9 start. He was the longest-tenured head coach in franchise history at the time, though Dwane Casey later passed him with seven seasons in charge from 2011 to 2018.
Now 63, Mitchell has spent time as an assistant coach with several NBA teams and most recently worked as a basketball analyst for TSN and NBA TV.
In Other News...
Raptors Fans Already Have A Jersey Debate They Never Wanted
The Raptors are already set to give fans something new to argue about next season, with a Sun Life Financial logo patch slated to appear on two of the teams Swingman Statement jerseys for 2026-27. The patch will feature a large yellow circle with Sun Life printed underneath, tying directly into the companys recent global rebrand and making the sponsor mark a far more noticeable part of the jersey design.
It will show up on jerseys sold at specific locations and will also stay on Torontos uniforms as part of the sponsorship agreement, which means this is not just a retail touch but a visible part of the on-court look. For a fan base that pays close attention to every detail of the uniform, it adds another layer to the ongoing conversation around how much branding belongs on a jersey in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Just Made Jamal Shead A Much Bigger Long Term Bet
Jamal Sheads rise from defensive specialist to a more central piece of the Raptors future took a clear step forward with a three-year, $24 million extension. Toronto is buying into the parts of Sheads game that already stand out, especially his pressure defense and the kind of passing that helps a lineup stay organized and connected, even when the offense is still finding its way.
The bet now is whether Shead can grow beyond what he already is and become a more dependable scoring threat. His defensive rsum is already decorated, with consecutive AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, but the Raptors long-term return will likely hinge on how much he can add as a shooter and creator. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Face An Early Test They Can't Afford To Flunk
The Bulls arrive at the new season looking like a very different opponent, with a revamped front office, a new coaching voice in Tiago Splitter and a roster that has clearly been steered toward development. Under lead executive Bryson Graham, Chicago is leaning into defense, physicality and a bigger role for young players such as Caleb Wilson, which should make for a more energetic and less predictable group than the one the Raptors have seen in recent years.
For Toronto, that makes the opener more than just a first look at the standings. It is an early test against a team that may still be sorting out its identity but has enough change built in to create problems if the Raptors come out flat. The matchup figures to hinge on whether Toronto can handle Chicago's pressure, match the edge the Bulls want to bring and avoid letting a rebuilding team turn opening night into a statement opportunity. [Read more 🡒]