The Most Important Task for Raptors' Darko Rajakovic in Training Camp

Darko Rajakovic is going into his fourth season as head coach of the Toronto Raptors, and he is fresh off of a contract extension.

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic walks off the court after losing to the Detroit Pistons. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic is hoping to keep the momentum going after reaching the playoffs for the first time in his tenure with the team.

The expectations are high for Rajakovic and the Raptors, and they have reason to make it even further in the playoffs in the upcoming season. The offseason has been messy with the proposed trade for Kawhi Leonard hanging in the balance, but there is no guarantee that the deal will be finalized before the start of the upcoming year.

The task for Rajakovic in training camp will be to integrate his team into the new system, regardless of the direction the trade ends up going in.

If the Trade Happens...

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard gestures to fans as he is shown on the stadium video screen. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rajakovic's main task will be getting the team built around Leonard. The Raptors aren't bringing him in to be an ancillary piece, but rather the driving force behind their offence and defence.

It isn't easy to build a system around one player in just a couple of weeks, but that's what the Raptors will have to do to coexist with Leonard as their primary player. Everyone's role will be slightly different, but building that chemistry will be key as Toronto looks to take that next step forward.

If the Trade Doesn't Happen...

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram celebrates after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The job for Rajakovic will be a little bit more challenging. Getting Ingram back into the Raptors' good graces will be a challenge, and keeping that chemistry will likely dictate how well Toronto ends up doing in the upcoming season. The Raptors' Xs and Os likely won't change all that much, but the focus will be more on how to recover as a team with the trade not happening.

The Raptors want to bring Leonard on board eventually, so things will continue to be awkward until a deal happens. The only reason why a trade wouldn't happen is if Leonard's contract gets voided, but the Raptors would still plan on bringing him aboard in free agency.

The Raptors have been operating as if a deal will happen between now and the end of September, but the more time that passes between now and then makes the possibility of keeping Ingram and Dick in training camp that much more of a possibility, so Toronto has to think of some alternative plans.

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