Sean Woodley here, the host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast, with your daily Locked On Raptors newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Raptors and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Toxic Positivity Friday! 2024 is as bad as it’s gonna get... probably
The Tumble Ridge Trail climbs through a forest burned by the 2020 Labor Day Fires in Detroit in Willamette National Forest | Zach Urness / Statesman Journal/Zach Urness / Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In nature, fire is a necessary evil; the means by which ecosystems cycle out the old and usher in the new. It refreshes, clears acreage for new growth, even activates long-dormant seeds.
Sure, as it’s happening, it’s a hellstorm, destroying everything it touches, leveling once-vibrant landscapes in a way that initially feels unrecoverable. But after the embers cool and the rains fall and the sun stokes the beginnings of new life, the forest and its creatures are better for it.
Over the past 12 months, the Raptors have been engulfed by the flames of change. Four players remain from the active roster that lost in Boston last December 29th, the day before the OG Anunoby trade ignited the scorched earth phase. From there, the Pascal Siakam deal, the Dennis Schroder dump, a whole bunch of injuries and ample draft-related wheeling and dealing have planted the seeds of a soon-to-be team-on-the-rise
And yet, results suggest those seedlings are still a ways from bearing fruit.
With two games left on the ledger this calendar year, the Raptors are have won just 20 of 81 games in 2024. Since the start of March, Toronto has fewer victories (9) than there have been months. Not coincidentally, the team’s four best players haven’t shared the court for a single minute in that time. To say this has been the single worst calendar year in Raptors franchise history would be to completely ignore some of the truly dark early years, but it wouldn’t be super far off.
The Raptors have racked up and paid a lot of bills in the years since the championship, none with a more robust sum than the one forked over in 2024. But with it now out of the way, you can dream on better days ahead.
A lot of good things happened this year. Things you maybe can’t see yet. Things in the soil. Roots and the like. The Raptors’ work in the draft might go down as the best thing to happen to the franchise during its year in the inferno. There are no guarantees all five Raptors first years are gonna become rotation mainstays on a good version of the team, but you lay enough seeds, and you’re bound to get a few that sprout. Gradey Dick’s rapid maturation and Ochai Agbaji’s evolution into the type of guy every good team can use give further reason to feel good about the environment building up around this team’s best players.
We’re gonna see those guys play together at some point in 2025, by the way. Law of averages says this injury run can’t keep going the way it has. Hell, we could see the long-awaited BBQ reunion in the next couple weeks if things progress with Immanuel Quickley, and it’ll jolt what’s become an increasingly dull losing season right back to life. How successful will they be? Well, finding out is part of the fun this season originally promised, isn’t it?
Absolute worst case, a high pick is on the way in June. While I’m not ever one to place hope in the lottery system that crushes just as many dreams as it grants, this draft cycle, free of the convey vs. don’t convey discourse and an genuinely exciting crop of top-of-the-table prospects promises to be a whole lot more fun than last year’s as well. Whoever they take won’t be joining some talentless, totally bereft roster. They’ll be something of a finishing touch on the revival.
There are zero guarantees in the NBA. Best laid intentions crash out for all kinds of reasons; what feels like rock bottom always has a deeper level to plummet to if things break wrong.
But the rejuvenative power of sweeping forest fire is time-tested. The Raptors had theirs in 2024. With a little luck and, crucially, time, the steady upward growth can begin in earnest with the arrival of a new year.
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Today on the show I recapped the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, which wasn’t too fun! Enjoy the show!
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) talk before the game at Chase Center. | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The ‘Things NBA fans get themselves worked up about’ category got a new entry this month, and it reached a fever pitch over the Christmas Day slate of games —ratings. Specifically, broadcast ratings.
It’s a subject Commissioner Adam Silver is often asked about in his pressers, especially those that precede the NBA’s tent-pole events like the In-Season Tournament, All-Star Weekend, the Finals, and Summer League. It also comes up around the annual Board of Governors meeting in early September. It makes sense for Silver to talk about it, given that he’s the league Commissioner, and because he’s been at the helm for broadcast contract negotiations and renegotiations. If this is all making your eyes cross, good, that helps to prove my point.
Silver, team owners, and broadcast executives are the only people who should care about the NBA’s broadcast ratings. It’s their job. Whether numbers are up or down should be of no concern to fans, casual or die-hard, because they ultimately have no bearing on the viewing experience, nor is it up to fans to “fix” anything.
Traditionally, this would’ve been self-evident, but in the contemporary era of fandom — especially NBA fandom — there’s a desire to critique and cosplay as team or league executives. Everything from down to the decimal point salary analysis in trade machinations, on-court performance and ways to improve athlete “production”, concerns for whether front offices are over-spending (they’re billionaires, they can afford it), and now, worries over marketing of the league.
Broadcast ratings are just one metric. The decline in “traditional” television ratings has more to do with how younger fans find and interact with basketball than with some phantom threat of malaise or disinterest. Cable is expensive, and younger audiences almost exclusively stream their sports. Case in point ESPN’s announcement on Christmas Day of an 84% spike in viewership, a day when many, many people head to their family home and have cable television to watch and plenty of free time on their hands.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The Toronto Raptors’ recent defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies marks their ninth consecutive loss, raising concerns about the team’s current form and strategies. Losing streak highlights the pressing need for a turnaround. (Raptors HQ)
Rumor NBA insiders reveal that the Los Angeles Lakers are closely monitoring the Toronto Raptors, suggesting potential trade opportunities. This speculation could impact the Raptors’ future roster moves. Lakers’ interest adds a layer of intrigue to the season. (Sports Illustrated)
Ranking Explore the most incredible sports moments from the last quarter-century, featuring significant achievements and unforgettable events. This list includes notable instances that have shaped sports history. Incredible sports moments provide a retrospective look at greatness. (Bleacher Report)
Watch
The 2025 NBA Draft features surprise risers that teams need to monitor closely. These emerging talents could significantly impact future team compositions and league dynamics. Draft risers are pivotal for strategic planning. (Bleacher Report)
Sunday, Dec. 29 | 6:00PM | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | Get Tickets
Raptors @ Celtics
Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 3:00PM | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Get Tickets
Nets @ Raptors
Wednesday, Jan. 1 | 7:30PM | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Christmas Day Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Spectacular: Must-Adds and Droppable Players
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (right) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As we celebrate Christmas Day, it’s time for a fantasy basketball waiver wire spectacular. Let’s dive into the most added players, must-roster options, and those you can consider dropping.
The most added player over the last 48 hours is Trayce Jackson-Davis. With two solid games in a row and increased minutes, he’s a no-brainer add for now. Keep an eye on his playing time, as anything over 22 minutes makes him worth rostering.
Noah Clowney is another intriguing addition. His shooting has improved from his college days, and he’s getting significant minutes due to injuries. While I’m not sure he’ll provide top-70 value, he’s worth a look in most leagues.
When it comes to must-roster players (under 50% rostered on Yahoo), consider these options:
1. Goga Bitadze: Despite a recent ankle sprain and ejection, his floor has risen significantly.
2. Ben Simmons: Roster him now and worry about potential issues later.
3. Yves Missi: While I’m skeptical about his role when the Pelicans are fully healthy, he should be rostered for now.
4. Bilal Coulibaly: After a cold streak, he’s regained his form and confidence.
5. Ayo Dosunmu: Although I have limited faith in his long-term upside, he’s a must-roster player for the time being.
On the flip side, there are some players you can consider dropping. Remember, “droppable” doesn’t mean you must drop them, but rather that it’s acceptable to do so if needed. These include Gradey Dick, Dennis Schröder, Onyeka Okongwu, Rui Hachimura, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaden Ivey.
Looking at hot players, Larry Nance Jr. has been impressive lately, ranking 40th over the last week. While I don’t expect this to hold long-term, he’s worth rostering for now. Other notable hot players include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jake LaRavia, and Dean Wade.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Raptors podcasts.
Tuesday — Raptors fall to Knicks; are bad habits setting in? Sean and Vivek Jacob recap the loss to the Knicks on Monday, discuss whether bad habits are seeping into the team and more.
Monday — Raptors fall to Rockets for 7th-straight loss, but the sky ain’t falling Sean goes solo to talk about the Raptors’ 114-110 loss to Houston, Scottie Barnes’ recent struggles and why they’re probably nothing to be too alarmed about, Ja’Kobe Walter’s career-high and more!
Dec 17 — Raptors comeback vs. Chicago falls short; Jakob Poeltl hurt Sean and Vivek Jacob recap the Toronto Raptors 122-121 loss to the Chicago Bulls, discuss what Jakob Poeltl’s injury means and more.
