The Toronto Raptors are about to begin preparations on an intriguing 2024-2025 season. They are by no means contenders, but with a host of young talent, they figure to be an exciting watch throughout the year. At the same time, their G League affiliate — Raptors 905 — is preparing for their own campaign.
Raptors 905 did not have a great year in 2023-2024. They finished 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 13-21 record during the regular season. But the hope is that with less roster turnover than the Raptors had last season, they can be a stronger presence in the G League.
It starts with the G League Tip-Off and Showcase Cup games. The G League season is essentially split into two separate campaigns, and the Raptors 905 have finally released their schedule for both.
Raptors 905 opens the Tip-Off and Showcase Cup section of the season on Saturday, Nov. 9 on the road against the Delaware Blue Coats. They play five games on the road before returning to Ontario for their home opener against the Long Island Nets on Friday, Nov. 22.
They will play 14 Tip-Off games, with the last being on Sunday, Dec. 15, on the road against the Maine Celtics. This culminates in the Showcase Cup beginning on Monday, Dec. 16. Once that concludes, the formal regular season begins.
The Raptors 905 open the true regular season at home on Friday, Dec. 27, against the Birmingham Squadron. The regular season spans 34 games and includes several two-game series which are meant to limit travel. The 34-game regular season ends on March 29, 2025 once again on the road against the Blue Coats.
The Raptors are hopeful that their G League team can bring back earlier successes, especially with the NBA roster feeling more set right now than it was at any point last season.
The full schedule can be found here.
Former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan visiting Toronto
DeMar DeRozan is without a doubt one of the most important players in the history of the Raptors franchise. DeRozan played the first nine years of his career with the Raptors, making it to the playoffs five times and collecting four All-Star and two All-NBA selections along the way.
He is also a part of one of the most infamous trades in Raptors history. The Raptors dealt DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs after his ninth season with the team in exchange for superstar Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors ultimately won a championship as a result of the trade, but no one could replace the leadership and connection to the city that DeRozan had.
But DeRozan never held any hatred for the city itself. And as he begins promoting his new book, “Above the Noise,” he announced a stop in Toronto.
