Esfandiar Baraheni

1 week ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Esfandiar Baraheni

It’s that time of year, folks! Rumours will be swirling around in the ether. Fans will be clamouring for players that they’d like to acquire. For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the NBA calendar. There will also be exhausting levels of speculation. That said, the Toronto Raptors could have a decently straightforward off-season. They don’t have a ton of cap flexibility (unless they’d like to dip into the luxury tax), and most of their roster spots are already spoken for.

1 week ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Esfandiar Baraheni

When you’re drafting in the lottery, drafting based on fit is a fool’s errand. There are some exceptions to that rule, but for the most part, a team drafting in the top 10 should select the best player available and move on. The Toronto Raptors are in a unique position in the 2025 NBA draft.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Esfandiar Baraheni

Scroll down to watch my latest video breaking down what makes Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton the most unique playmaker in the NBA. There is nothing conventional about a team led by Tyrese Haliburton. Whether he's willing his team to improbable comebacks, knocking down clutch shots with his unorthodox jumper or flummoxing help defenders with his mind-bending playmaking, Haliburton finds a way to break the conventions of basketball every time he steps on the court.

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Esfandiar Baraheni

Watch my video below to learn about Evan Mobley's offensive evolution and how it helped catapult the Cavaliers into championship contention this season. When the Cleveland Cavaliers were searching for their next head coach this past summer, their priority was finding someone who could help unlock Evan Mobley's game. While the 23-year-old Mobley has always been an elite defender - and was rewarded for it by winning the Defensive Player of the Year award - his offense has been a work in progress.

1 month ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Esfandiar Baraheni

The Raptors spent almost a decade going deep in the playoffs, year in and year out, culminating of course in a championship. That was fun, but (for now) it is over. A silver lining? It turns out the playoffs are extremely exciting when you’re an impartial observer. While Raptors fans might have rooting interests (Hello Canadians in Oklahoma), you can enjoy these games much more knowing there are no stakes at play for your team.