Dry Canada? The former NBA champion Raptors are in their “We The Rebuilding North” era.

TORONTO (AP) – The Toronto Raptors have gone from “We The North” to “We The Rebuilding North.”

It’s been five seasons since the Raptors rode their famous “We The North” rallying cry through a thrilling playoff run and brought the NBA championship north of the border for the first time.

that spring Crowds from across Canada flocked to the outdoor festivities watch a star-studded Raptors team beat the Golden State Warriors in six games.

The current Raptors roster lacks the marquee players that propelled Toronto to the title.

Kawhi Leonard left after his only season in Canada, but the Raptors went off to a solid 46-18 start the following season before the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down in March 2020. Toronto couldn’t recapture its magic on the bubble that summer, losing a seven-game series to Boston in the second round.

The following year, border restrictions brought on by COVID-19 forced a move to Tampa for a disappointing and losing season. More stars were lost that year and the following, with Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet all leaving or being traded.

Nick Nurse, who won it all as a rookie head coach, was fired April 2023days after the Raptors couldn’t hold on to a 19-point lead in the third quarter and lost a home opener against Chicago.

After last season’s exchanges Pascal Siakam in Indiana i OG Anunoby to the Knicksthere are no significant contributors left from Toronto’s 2019 championship team. The only holdover is Canadian forward Chris Boucher, who played just four minutes that postseason.

This upcoming campaign, the Raptors’ 30th basketball season, isn’t exactly planning to end in celebration.

“We’re going to play to win, but it’s a rebuilding team,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri acknowledged at the start of training camp. “I think everybody sees that very loud and clear.”

Equally clear, Ujiri said, is the intent to anchor the rebuild around 23-year-old forward Scottie Barnes. The former Rookie of the Year was a first-time All-Star last season, his third, and set career highs in scoring, 3-point shooting, rebounds, assists and blocked shots.

Barnes signed a contract extension this summer which could reach $270 million if it meets the supermax criteria.

Ujiri said the “seriousness” and “intensity” Barnes has shown lately was proof that the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft deserved the big financial deal.

“What I’ve seen all this summer is dedication to work, dedication to really pay attention to what he wants to get better at,” Ujiri said. “I respect that about him, and I think there’s going to be some growth with him this year.”

The Raptors also have high hopes for the development of point guard Immanuel Quickley, acquired along with Canadian forward RJ Barrett, acquired in the Anunoby trade.

Quickley admitted he was initially unsure of his new situation following the move to Toronto, but said he’s now comfortable with his new team, new city and expanded role under head coach Darko Rajakovic. Like Barnes, Quickley signed an extension with the Raptors during the off season.

“That’s probably been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me,” said Quickley of getting to think about the move to Toronto. “I’m looking forward to making the most of it.”

Still, center Jakob Poeltl and the rest of the Raptors know there’s no shortcut back to NBA championship contention.

“This has to be a long-term project,” Poeltl said. “Our expectation is not to win 65 games this year and be in the NBA Finals. I think we can have good, positive experiences just based on how we develop and how we improve throughout the year.”

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