The ESPN offseason power rankings released after the 2026 NBA Finals placed Toronto at 13th, a clear reflection of the lingering uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s contract. The panel, Tim MacMahon, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Zach Kram, Anthony Slater, Ben Golliver and Vincent Goodwill, ranked the Raptors behind every club that added impact players in free agency, underscoring how the league’s most active movers have surged ahead.
Oklahoma City illustrates the upside of proactive roster building. The Thunder entered the offseason banking on the return to health of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, while shedding roughly $200 million in luxury-tax liability by moving veteran role players from the 2025 title run. Those savings were used to acquire two first-round selections (Mara and guard Bennett Stirtz) and a cache of seven second-round picks, reinforcing the Thunder’s position among the title-contending clubs.
San Antonio took a different yet equally decisive approach. After a fairy-tale run to the 2025-26 Finals, the Spurs retained the core that propelled them there and added a veteran presence inside by signing center Harris. The move bolstered a roster already anchored by franchise superstar Victor Wembanyama, who recently accepted a discounted super-max extension that keeps the team together for the foreseeable future.
The Knicks, meanwhile, responded to owner James Dolan’s directive to stay out of the second apron by parting with veteran forward Robinson, who signed with Boston, and bringing in former All-Star center Drummond. That transaction illustrates how a clear front-office mandate can translate into a clean roster transition, even when it means losing a defensive stalwart.
Toronto’s situation contrasts sharply with those examples. Without a long-term deal for Leonard, the Raptors cannot allocate cap space to complementary pieces, and the lack of new signings leaves the roster essentially frozen. The uncertainty surrounding Leonard’s future hampers any coherent plan to upgrade the supporting cast, forcing the coaching staff to experiment with lineups that have yet to coalesce.
Looking ahead, the Raptors’ fortunes hinge on the upcoming free-agency period. If Leonard’s extension is secured before the league’s moratorium, Toronto will have the flexibility to target role players that address the void left by the contract limbo. Should negotiations stall, the team may be forced to enter the season with Leonard on a short-term deal or contemplate a trade that could reshape the franchise’s identity.
In a league where most clubs have already taken decisive steps, Toronto’s patience remains a gamble. The power rankings capture that risk, positioning the Raptors squarely in the middle of the pack while the Thunder, Spurs and Knicks have already moved forward.
