Toronto – In a candid interview with SB Nation, Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković explained how the team’s recent progress and the arrival of Kawhi Leonard have set the stage for a serious championship push in the 2026‑27 season.
Building a winning culture
Rajaković praised the franchise’s rapid development, noting the jump from 30 wins two seasons ago to 46 wins last year. He credited the core of home‑grown players drafted and developed within the organization, along with strategic additions, for that improvement.
“We entered the rebuilding process two years ago, and in a relatively short period of time, we managed to make significant progress,” Rajaković said. “Our ambitions are now as high as they can be. We want to get the Toronto Raptors to a point where we can compete for championships, compete against the best teams in the league and try to achieve the best possible results.”
Kawhi Leonard’s impact
The 35‑year‑old two‑time NBA champion was acquired in a high‑profile trade that Rajaković described as an “important” move. Leonard’s experience, work ethic, and leadership are expected to elevate both the veterans and the young core.
“Kawhi’s arrival is going to have a really positive impact on Barnes, on the team in general, and on RJ Barrett, Quickley and all of our young players,” Rajaković said. “He’s going to bring a great presence to the locker room, be a good leader and help our players individually, as well as our coaching staff and the team as a whole.”
Developing young talent
Rajaković highlighted the growth of Scottie Barnes, whom he called a future face of the league, and the promising contributions of Collin Murray‑Boyles. The coach emphasized that the team’s culture and habits have been deliberately shaped to foster development.
“That progress came through building our culture, developing different habits and establishing the style of play we wanted,” he explained. “We give a lot of credit to our young players, who took a big step forward last season.”
Challenges ahead
The Eastern Conference is stacked with talent, from LeBron James’ veteran squad in Philadelphia to rising young teams in Chicago, Washington and Charlotte. Rajaković acknowledged the depth of competition but remained optimistic.
“The NBA has never been stronger. There’s a group of veterans led by LeBron James who are incredibly good players and can make a huge difference, while at the same time, there are a lot of young players bringing tremendous quality,” he said. “The competition is fantastic, and this season is going to be one where nobody is going to tank. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Looking forward
Despite a 76‑day integration period that disrupted summer plans, Rajaković believes the team is ready to maximize training camp and begin the season on a strong footing.
“We focused on what we could control. We did a great job with our young players, who worked extremely hard throughout the summer,” he noted. “Training camp has started, and we’re going to make the most of this time to prepare for the season.”
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
