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A Look Toward Tomorrow for the Nets and Raptors
When the Brooklyn Nets host the Toronto Raptors this Sunday, the stakes won’t be about playoff positioning—but that doesn’t mean this game lacks intrigue. With both teams out of the postseason race, the focus shifts toward lottery odds, young talent evaluation, and roster building for 2025.
Brooklyn’s Youth Movement Is Underway
The Nets (25-52) are officially out of the playoff picture and currently hold a 9% chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Thanks to savvy past deals with the Bucks, Suns, and Knicks, Brooklyn owns three more first-rounders outside of the lottery as well—setting up a potentially game-changing offseason.
The 2023-24 campaign marks Brooklyn’s fifth 50-loss season since relocating from New Jersey. After a 9-10 start, trades shook up the roster, sending Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith packing and ushering in a new era focused on youth.
How Brooklyn’s Rotation is Shifting
One of the more interesting pickups? D’Angelo Russell, acquired in the Finney-Smith trade. However, he’s nursing a sore right ankle and logged just 12 minutes in a recent loss to Minnesota, going scoreless.
Coach Jordi Fernandez is clearly prioritizing youth:
“We want to see how these young guys perform in real-game pressure,” he explained, emphasizing development over wins.
Newcomer Maxwell Lewis, also acquired from the Lakers, made his first start Thursday—marking Brooklyn’s 39th different starting lineup of the year. He teamed up with center Nic Claxton, who scored 18 points, tying his fourth-highest output of the season.
Keep an eye on:
- Dariq Whitehead (17 points)
- Tosan Evbuomwan (13 points)
- Trendon Watford, who stepped in for the injured Cameron Johnson and scored in double digits
The offense, however, continues to struggle, dipping below 100 points for the 24th time this year.
Check more Nets news and insights
Raptors Reloading with Optimism for 2025
The Raptors (28-50) also find themselves watching from the sidelines this postseason but come with a 7.5% chance at the top pick. The future, however, already looks bright—especially after landing Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans and extending him on a 3-year, $120 million deal.
Coach Darko Rajakovic is banking on a big summer from his young core:
“With Brandon joining us and the way our guys are working, we believe next season will be something special.”
Spotlight on Emerging Raptors
In their March 26 visit to Brooklyn, the Raptors blew the Nets out 116-86, led by Orlando Robinson who posted a monstrous 23 points and 12 boards starting in place of Jakob Poeltl.
Meanwhile, rookie Ja’Kobe Walter has been one of the standout stories, dropping 22 points Friday and hitting double digits in 8 of his last 9 games. As for the regular starters, Scottie Barnes has been managing a hand injury and RJ Barrett was rested—both missed the loss to Detroit on Friday.
Toronto may be out now, but with a young core and top-tier talent added, this team is one to watch for 2025.
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Draft Implications: Why This Game Still Matters
Even without postseason implications, both teams are fighting for more than pride. Lottery odds, roster experimentation, and player development all hang in the balance.
Lottery Percentages (Pre-game Outlook)
- Nets: 9% chance at No. 1 pick
- Raptors: 7.5% chance at No. 1 pick
Sunday’s game may look like a quiet showdown, but it’s actually a sneak peek into the 2024-25 NBA season—with key minutes for prospects and rotation tweaks that could shape each franchise’s future.
Check full NBA odds and updates
Conclusion: Betting, Ball, and Big Picture Vibes
Whether you’re a bettor eyeing player prop angles or just a die-hard fan tracking the rebuild, Raptors vs. Nets has more value than meets the eye. Watch for breakout performances, experimental lineups, and a glimpse of how two lottery hopefuls are rebuilding for success.
