Insights from the Toronto Raptors’ end of season player availability

Six Raptors spoke to the media today to reflect on the 2023-24 NBA season, and what’s next for the team.

With the regular season behind us, and the Toronto Raptors not making the playoffs or the play-in tournament, the team is holding end of season team availability this week. The players were first up on Monday, with the team’s core members coming to speak to the media.

The players reflected on the season they had personally, the struggles the team went through as a whole, their plans for the summer and more.

We’ll go through each player’s availability one by one, highlighting their main thoughts and reflections.

Kelly Olynyk

Kelly Olynyk’s availability was a mix of Raptors related questions and Canada Basketball talk. The veteran will (most likely) be suiting up for the Canadian National Basketball team this summer as the men’s program makes their first appearance that Olympics since the year 2000.

While Olynyk only had a few months with the Raptors this season after being traded at the deadline, and even less time with a fully healthy roster, he still had lots of good things to say about his time in Toronto this season.

When it comes to Scottie Barnes, Kelly joked that he learned he has fragile hands this season. Overall though, Olynyk was impressed with Scottie’s leadership, even in the face of adversity and through injuries.

[Darko’s system] is hard to scout, it’s hard to guard, and if you kind of master it and continue to build that chemistry together, and you’re on the same page, it’s a thing of beauty and a work of art. – Kelly Olynyk

He’s going to take some time to rest now that the season is over, but soon it will be time to turn the attention to the Olympics. Olynyk says there isn’t too much extra or different preparation that goes in before suiting up for Canada vs being in the NBA, but prepping for different plays and different teammates is the focus.

Olynyk is already contracted for next season after signing an extension with the Raptors, so he can relax a little and just focus on prepping with this team for next season.

Jakob Poeltl

Jakob Poeltl definitely had a rough season, which he expressed in his availability. He says while he is improving and getting better, it’s been a frustrating recovery — especially since he was injured earlier in the season as well.

Poeltl missed several weeks in January after spraining his ankle, came back in February, and then injured himself in early March. That final injury was a torn ligament in his finger, which required surgery.

It was frustrating for him to get injured again so soon after making it back onto the court, but Poeltl says his recovery is going well.

He also had good things to say about Scottie’s growth as a leader, praising his vocal style of leading and the way he speaks to the team.

Overall, Jakob says it was probably his hardest season as a Raptor, which is fair.

RJ Barrett

RJ had a lot of enthusiasm coming into his availability, and started off by saying how good of a fit he thinks he is here, with Darko’s system. He praised the team’s communication, as well as the resiliency within the team despite the struggles of the season.

He also talked about there not being any expectations of him here, allowing him to feel more free. He’s his harshest critic, but he also is motivated by going out there and making his dad proud — crediting the senior Rowan Barrett for helping him improve as a player.

I just think I’m a good fit here. You know, I think that the biggest thing is the way I play, the way I’ve always played. It works very well with our coach’s system and just also just the players that we have here. – RJ Barrett

RJ also reflected a little bit on his upcoming journey with team Canada as they return to the Olympics. Barrett is a big contributor to the Canadian men’s success, and mentioned that the system Darko Rajakovic enforces as coach of the Raptors is similar to the style of play you find in international basketball.

When it comes to pivoting from the NBA to international style ball, Barrett said it comes in phases. The experience of playing in the Canada Basketball program his whole life, as well as in Darko’s system this season, helps prepare him.

RJ also praised Scottie for his leadership and personality — mentioning fans often don’t see the side of him that his teammates get to see in practice. He said Barnes just wants to win and comes in everyday with that mindset, while still being such a great teammate to those around him.

I think there’s phases. For me, it’s easier because I’m from here, so I’ve kind of been playing FIBA basketball my whole life. Realistically, even though it’s the NBA, with Darko and his system, it’s kind of like that as well. So I’ve kind of been able to be playing FIBA basketball technically for some months now. – RJ Barrett

Scottie Barnes

The man of the hour (and the year) came into his availability and immediately gave an update on his injured hand. He said while there is still some swelling to be dealt with, overall it feels good and he should not be limited going into the offseason.

He also mentioned the decision to keep him off the court in the last few games of the season was more of a precaution than anything and he feels good.

Telling my point of view from the game. I love the game and I see it differently from other people. Other people see it differently from me. It just all feels comfortable. These guys trust me. So it goes a long way as well. – Scottie Barnes

Barnes went on to say that the time away wasn’t necessarily frustrating because he understands what happened to him was a freak accident, and he doesn’t take any step of the process for granted. He used his time on the bench to sit next to Garrett Temple and soak in all the knowledge his vet could give him.

Even through all of the hardships the team as a while endured this year, Barnes noted he was able to stay positive through it all just because he knows in the end it’s bigger than basketball.

Scottie also talked about his own development as a leader this season, and how speaking to the team now feels a lot more natural to him than it did in seasons past. Where he once had to put a lot of thought into how he would address his teammates, it comes easier to him now than ever before.

Next season, he hopes to see improvement as a whole from the team and players. He understands patience is a part of the process but everyone seems really ready to put in the work in the offseason to come into next year feeling prepared to build.

Immanuel Quickley

Immanuel Quickley started off by talking about all he’s learned this season, from being traded for the first time to getting used to his new role as a primary option. Like many of the players, he credited Garrett Temple for guidance around being a leader on and off the court.

As Quickley is also heading into free agency this summer, he said while he doesn’t have much to do with the actual business part of contracts and deals, he does love Toronto. He mentioned from the minute he got here the team has showed love and he has loved being in the city and on the team.

He also praised RJ Barrett for his mindset throughout the season, saying that he is always focused and positive even throughout things like being traded or going through hardship.

He talked about the focus with his chemistry (on court) with Scottie Barnes being on how they are both two-way players. Focusing on that energy on both sides of the ball will be important for him, Barnes and Barrett as they practice this summer.

Gradey Dick

We finished the day off with the rookie, as Gradey reflected on his first year in the league. He definitely feels like he got stronger, and credited the Raptors’ athletic trainer for helping him lock in to his weight training so he could get strong enough to be better on defence.

Gradey also spoke highly of the fans in Toronto, talking about how their immediate reception of him, their support, and their respect really meant a lot to him.

It means everything. I don’t think I’d get as much love anywhere else than here in Toronto. Just the people who welcomed me and my family from day one. I remember coming out the little Sprinter van and seeing my big picture on the arena. I think that was the coolest thing because it was just genuine. I walk out and people are not begging for pictures, but they’re just like, ‘if you have time, can we take one?’ That was my first look at the Canadian love and support. – Gradey Dick

He says this season felt long day-to-day but also felt like it went by in a flash. While the increase of playing time definitely tired him out a little bit, he mentioned being able to “play 82 more” and that his stamina is a lot higher now. He’s reflected all year long on how different it is playing so often in the NBA as opposed to college, and how that helped him get more fit.

He also mentioned he’s only 20, so he can only get stronger from here.

Overall, despite hardship, Gradey seems to have nothing but positive thoughts about his rookie season.

Overall Takeaways

The team loves Darko Rajakovic

Whenever any of the players were asked about Darko, they had glowing reviews. On the court, they praised his system and the way he thinks about basketball. Kelly Olynyk called it a “work of art.” They were all in agreement that with a healthy and consistent team, Darko’s basketball schematics will make for a tough team to defend.

Maybe even more than his basketball mind though, every player praised Darko’s personality and supportive nature off the court. Scottie mentioned Darko was one of the first people to call him when he got out of surgery in March to let him know to reach out if he needed anything. RJ Barrett talked about how much Darko checks in on him and how he appreciates that. Immanuel Quickley noted that he and Darko probably talk more about things that don’t even relate to basketball than they do about on the court stuff.

Overall, the team seems to really appreciate the coach and person Rajakovic is. That support makes them feel encouraged to play their best for him, and they feel like they can come to him with any topic.

While his record for his first season is less than ideal, it seems Darko has made an extreme impact on his players on a personal level.

The team ALSO loves Garrett Temple

While there were definitely specific questions pertaining to each player’s relationship with Darko Rajakovic, but many of these players offered up praise of Garrett Temple completely unprompted.

As a 37-year-old veteran in the NBA, Temple was praised for his grit and effort on the court — like when he took a charge in the Raptors final game against Miami. The young players all had glowing reviews on how Temple helps them out off the court as well.

Scottie, like mentioned, loved his time on the bench with Temple, soaking in his knowledge. Immanuel Quickley watches his efforts on the court and it motivates him to do better himself. Gradey Dick called Garrett Temple “the best veteran a rookie could have,” and talked about how much Temple influenced him on and off the court.

All of them praised Temple’s steady leadership, his professionalism, his mindset, and the way he views the game.

If Temple wants to suit up again next season (both on the court and in the tunnel), there’s not doubt the core of this Raptors team would fully endorse keeping Temple on the roster as a veteran.

Despite it all, there’s optimism all around

You’d think after having a season like they did, the players may be a little more glum or burnt out at the end of it, but they weren’t. Maybe that’s on the leadership they have, maybe it’s because these young guys are just positive people.

Every one of them looked to the future with optimism. They talked about how much they are looking forward to getting back to work after taking some time to rest. They all have faith that with some more reps, a good training camp, and some time to build chemistry, that this team will improve next year.

We still have both Darko and Masai’s press conferences to watch in the coming days, but fans should look to these players for a bit of hope over the summer. They all see the vision, and because of that, they will inspire fans to see it too.