2012/2013 Record: 54-28

Season Highlights: The Raptors continued their success under GM Juvenile, finishing with a 54-28 record. Kevin Durant continued to be one of the best players in the league, and Toronto did the same as a franchise. With the 4^th seed in the playoffs, they were looking for a decent and deep run in the year’s playoffs.

Season Lowlights: The Raptors were shocked in the first round. Home-court advantage, an entire country behind them, one of the best players in the league. Even against a franchise like Philadelphia, Toronto felt like they could pull out a victory. Philly won the first to games on the road by 20 and 21 points. Then they pulled out a nail-biting one point victory back home. The Sixers still weren’t fazed when the Raptors put them on blast in game 4, the largest win of the series by 24 points. They went right back to Toronto, beating the Raptors by 17. The series was over, and Toronto was shocked, getting blown out in all 3 of their home games. Toronto’s season was gone in the blink of an eye.

Best Trade: The New Orleans Hornets send Jason Kidd to the Toronto Raptors. 

The Toronto Raptors use their trade exception over $ 3,090,000. 
The New Orleans Hornets receive 12 GM points. The Toronto Raptors trade -12 GM points.

It is tough to choose a real best trade for the Raptors, as their “best trade” for the season could possibly end up hurting them down the line. With this trade, the Raptors acquired a great veteran in Jason Kidd for a cheap price. Their was a great reward for this season, with really no repercussions for the future.

Worst Trade:

The Milwaukee Bucks send Brendan Haywood to the Toronto Raptors. 
The Toronto Raptors send a 1st-Rounder (Tor) to the Milwaukee Bucks. 
The Toronto Raptors use their trade exception over $ 2,000,000.

Toronto gives up their first round pick, albeit late, for Brendan Haywood. Haywood did fill the center role that Toronto needed, but he did it with extremely forgettable stats, not worth a first round draft pick. The Evil Empire strikes again!

Other Notable Trades:  The Brooklyn Nets send Chris Kaman, Mickael Pietrus and Kevin Martin to the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors send Chris Bosh, Leandro Barbosa and CJ Miles to the Brooklyn Nets.

I considered putting this as the worst trade. Did the Raptors really end up missing Chris Bosh? No, not really, they still finished with more than 50 wins, still one of the best teams in the NLL. Were Kevin Martin and Chris Kaman great helps? Yes, Martin filling the second star role that Bosh once held, while Kaman showed he still had some ability in the low post. I guess really, it all depends on how Free Agency goes. If the Raptors can get Martin back, then this was probably their best trade. Kaman already has a foot out of the door. If they end up having nothing just a year after trading one of their best trades, it’ll be a huge blunder for the franchise.

Best FA Signing: The Raptors made no big signings to help the team.

Worst FA Signing: Leandro Barbosa- Signing cheap, Barbosa seemed to be a huge x-factor for the team, but quickly injuring his ACL, Barbosa was unheard of the rest of the season. A cheap signing that didn’t hurt the cap, but an impact player lost for a championship chasing team.

Star: Kevin Durant- Are words really needed? Durant is one of the best players in this league, a dominant scoring force with incredible height for the speed that he has. Averaging 25 a game with 6 rebounds, Durant looks to only improve for the future. Few doubt he will  live up to the expectations.

Surprise: Kevin Martin- Martin had already been a star in the league, but when he came to Toronto, people expected him to dip his production alongside Kevin Durant. However, Martin retained relatively the same success as he had prior to joining the team up north. Percentages and points were all nearly identical to the season prior, where he played with another superstar, Dwayne Wade. The big question now is….. will he return?

Goat: Brendan Haywood- You just don’t trade your first rounder for this kind of production.

Draft Report Card: N/A- The Raptors made no draft picks this season.

Looking To The Future: The Raptors need to keep and add pieces around Kevin Durant to continue their success. While Durant is a great player, he can’t win 54 games on his own. If the Raptors can’t add pieces in free agency, look for a much lower number in the win column.

Upcoming Free Agents:

Taj Gibson- Restricted, and likely returning.

David West- Open to returning, but do the Raptors want him back?

Ty Lawson- See Taj Gibson.

Kevin Martin- Will he stay or will he go? Reports saying “he’s open to coming back”.