As new Raptors season tips off, can Kawhi Leonard reignite title hopes?

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The Raptors tip off their regular season Wednesday night with a home date against the Chicago Bulls, a team in transition that nonetheless features Norm Powell, one of a handful of active players in the league who will forever be linked to Toronto’s NBA championship in 2019.

Kyle Lowry has retired and will have his number raised to the rafters in January, OG Anunoby became a household name in helping to lead the New York Knicks to their first championship in a generation, Fred VanVleet will resume his career in Houston after missing the entire season last year following a knee injury, while Pascal Siakam will welcome the return of Tyrese Haliburton to an Indiana Pacers team well equipped to contend in a deep Eastern Conference.

As soon as the Kawhi Leonard trade was made official, memories of the Raptors’ title run were immediately evoked.

Nostalgia and sentiment are one thing, reality is quite another and the reality remains that much has to go right for the Raptors this season for championship thoughts to realistically get stirred.

As Kevin Garnett once exalted after the Boston Celtics won a title, anything, indeed, is possible.

There’s no denying Leonard’s presence has the potential to take the Raptors to a place the franchise has not experienced since the two-time NBA finals MVP first arrived in Toronto.

This year’s edition does not possess the size the 2018-19 team featured when the likes of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol were in the frontcourt.

In the intervening years, the NBA has changed, the game dominated by perimeter players with the three-point shot becoming a staple.

You look at this year’s Raptors and it’s easy to see obvious deficiencies, beginning with size and a potential concern in three-point shooting.

The bench, while brimming with youth and promise, pales in comparison to the championship season.

So much will hinge on the continued evolution of Collin Murray-Boyles, who is entering his second season, so much will depend on Jamal Shead being capable of making open shots and a lot will be dependent on how well head coach Darko Rajakovic can shuffle the pieces to ensure the second unit isn’t exposed.

A new season ushers in a renewed sense of optimism and excitement.

Leonard’s return automatically moves the needle and with it a level of expectation that might be a bit inflated.

As a new season begins, the following are five questions that must be answered for the Raptors to capture their first playoff series win in the Scottie Barnes era.

1. Can Barnes turn into an MVP candidate?

He’ll have a chance knowing Leonard is on board.

No one is about to say Barnes will win the award because it’s highly doubtful and improbable, but his name recognition will only increase the more wins the Raptors are able to compile.

Barnes came of age during last spring’s opening-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

His defensive versatility remains his biggest strength, his jumper Barnes’ biggest area that needs to be improved.

Offensively, he can play the point and also handle the centre spot.

When matched up against smaller defenders, Barnes cannot be guarded.

The mid-post is where you’ll find his sweet spot, but when he’s able to play downhill not many players are Barnes’ equal.

2. How many games will Leonard play?

Health was an issue in Leonard’s first act with the Raptors and it remains in his second act.

He started in 60 games during the 2018-19 season, but never missed any of the 24 post-season games.

The Raptors designed the blue print for maximizing Leonard, better known as load management.

Appearing between 60 and 65 games is all the Raptors should aim for this regular season because the true test arrives in the post-season.

Leonard is also 35 years old, but there’s no indication his overall game has taken a dip.

3. Can Immanuel Quickley stay healthy and produce?

Having Barnes and Leonard on the floor will allow Quickley to play more off the ball.

He has shown to be quite good in transition, either leading a fast break or serving as the trailer.

Quickley has flown under the radar leading up to opening night, to be expected given Leonard’s arrival, but he does loom as an X factor.

If he’s able to make shots from distance, the Raptors’ three-point deficiency will be addressed.

He needs to be healthy and Quickley needs to be a better defender, which might seem as a reach.

Defence is not Quickley’s strong suit, but it can be masked when the Raptors have Barnes, Leonard and CMB on the floor.

4. Is Darko Rajakovic ready to step up to the plate?

Entering his fourth season, the head coach has grown into his role, leading the Raptors to 25 wins in his rookie year capped off by last year’s 46-win season.

Dwane Casey established the foundation during his tenure before Nick Nurse helped take the Raptors to the NBA’s highest level.

There’s a lot of pressure on Rajakovic knowing the bar has been raised.

He needs to make the most of the Barnes-Leonard duo and be creative in how he manages starting centre Jakob Poeltl and how the big man is used on offence.

Having Barnes and Leonard is huge luxury for Rajakovic.

5. Where does RJ Barrett fit in the puzzle?

He enters the final year of his deal with Barrett poised to play his first meaningful home game since last spring’s game-winning basket in Game 6 versus the Cavs.

There’s a chance Barrett may get lost in the shuffle, but that’s where Rajakovic comes in to ensure Barrett isn’t an afterthought on offence.

Barrett took a step last spring and he’ll need to continue his trajectory.

Money always matters in the NBA, but Barrett, at least until now, hasn’t allowed his contract status to interfere with his on-court performance.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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