As Darko Rajakovic sat in front of the media ahead of the Toronto Raptors’ penultimate home game of the 2024-2025 season, the list of core players sitting out against the Detroit Pistons was long. RJ Barrett resting, Scottie Barnes with a hand injury, Gradey Dick still battling his bruised knee bone. When Darko was asked who would step up to the plate tonight, his answer was not much different than it has been most of the season: the young guys.
The Raptors headed into the 2024 draft with just one pick after having to give their lottery pick to the San Antonio Spurs.