Rajakovic: Raptors must ‘win for all’

Darko Rajakovic's mission has changed heading into his third season as head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

TORONTO – Darko Rajakovic’s mission has changed heading into his third season as head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

Expectations had been low for him and the Raptors his first two years patrolling the sideline, as then-president Masai Ujiri had signalled the franchise was in rebuild mode. But now, barring any midseason moves to gear up for a deep playoff drive, Toronto’s roster appears to be deep and more or less complete.

That means Rajakovic’s primary focus is no longer developing young players, but earning the Raptors their first post-season berth since a first-round exit in 2022.

“Entering this season, a big slogan for me is going to be ‘win for all,'” said Rajakovic on Monday at Toronto’s media day. “Not just to win games, but to win for the community, to win for this country, to win for each other, to win for the man next to you.

“I think it’s going to be very important for us to continue having that unity that I think is the blueprint for this team, and continue building on that.”

Rajakovic led Toronto to a 25-57 record in the 2023-24 season, his first as a head coach in the NBA. Last season, the Raptors finished with a 30-52 record but rested their starters on alternating nights down the stretch.

This season is different, however.

All of Toronto’s players were healthy when training camp began at the University of Calgary on Tuesday, including small forward Brandon Ingram. The former all-star was acquired in February at last season’s trade deadline but never laced up for the Raptors as he recovered from a left ankle sprain.