Editing Toronto Raptors (section)

====2013–2018: The DeRozan and Lowry era====
[[File:2014 Toronto Raptors fans Air Canada Centre.jpg|thumb|The Air Canada Centre during the 2014 first-round playoffs between the Raptors and the [[Brooklyn Nets]]]]
During the 2013 off-season, new general manager [[Masai Ujiri]] traded Bargnani to the New York Knicks for Marcus Camby, [[Steve Novak]], [[Quentin Richardson]], a future first-round draft pick, and two future second-round picks; Camby and Richardson were both waived shortly after the trade. The Raptors also added [[Tyler Hansbrough]], [[D. J. Augustin]], [[Dwight Buycks]], and Austin Daye via free agency. On December 9, 2013, the Raptors traded Rudy Gay, [[Quincy Acy]], and [[Aaron Gray]] to the [[Sacramento Kings]] for [[John Salmons]], [[Greivis Vásquez]], [[Patrick Patterson (basketball)|Patrick Patterson]], and [[Chuck Hayes]], and waived Augustin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.raptors.com/press-releases/raptors-kings-120913/|title=Raptors Acquire Vasquez, Salmons, Hayes & Patterson From Kings|work=www.nba.com|date=December 9, 2013|access-date=December 9, 2013|archive-date=December 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212075336/http://blog.raptors.com/press-releases/raptors-kings-120913/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the [[2013–14 NBA season|2013–14 season]], the Raptors were 6–12 before the Rudy Gay trade; after the trade they went on a 10–3 run, as they maintained their lead in the division and rose above the .500 mark for the first time in almost three years. The Raptors entered the All-Star break with a 28–24 record, and DeRozan was also selected to play in the All-Star game, being only the fourth ever Raptor to do so. On March 28, 2014, the Raptors clinched a [[2014 NBA playoffs|playoff berth]] for the first time since 2008 after beating the Boston Celtics, 105–103.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140328/BOSTOR/gameinfo.html|title=Celtics at Raptors|website=www.nba.com|access-date=May 3, 2017|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014022320/http://www.nba.com/games/20140328/BOSTOR/gameinfo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 11, 2014, the Raptors lost to the New York Knicks, 108–100, but since the division rival [[Brooklyn Nets]] lost to the [[Atlanta Hawks]] the same night, the Raptors became Atlantic Division champions for the first time since 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Raptors fall 108-100 to Knicks, secure division title with Brooklyn loss|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/raptors-fall-108-100-to-knicks-secure-division-title-with-brooklyn-loss-1.1772872|publisher=CTV.ca|date=April 11, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412073428/http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/raptors-fall-108-100-to-knicks-secure-division-title-with-brooklyn-loss-1.1772872|url-status=live}}</ref> They finished the regular season with a franchise-high 48 wins (.585), going 42–22 (.656) after the Gay trade, the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors faced the Nets in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2007, when the Nets were located in New Jersey. Toronto nearly advanced to the next round, but [[Paul Pierce]] blocked a potential game-winner by Lowry in Game 7.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400553094|title=Nets vs. Raptors - Game Recap - May 4, 2014 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105253/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400553094|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Jonas Valančiūnas (Toronto at Washington 04.26.15).jpg|upright|thumb|[[Jonas Valančiūnas]] with the Raptors in the first round of the [[2015 NBA playoffs|2015 playoffs]] against the [[Washington Wizards]]]]
During the [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15 season]], the Raptors were off to their best start in franchise history: a then-[[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]]-leading 24–8 record by the end of 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/standings|title=2015–2016 Division regular season standings|website=www.nba.com|access-date=February 9, 2007|archive-date=February 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208161012/http://www.nba.com/standings/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 27, 2015, the Raptors clinched the Atlantic division title with a 94–83 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. This was the second consecutive year that the Raptors clinched the Atlantic Division title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/raptors-clinch-atlantic-title-with-win-over-lakers/article23676949/|title=Raptors clinch Atlantic title with win over Lakers|author=Brady, Rachel|work=The Globe and Mail|date=March 27, 2015|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230540/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/raptors-clinch-atlantic-title-with-win-over-lakers/article23676949/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 11, 2015, the Raptors beat the Miami Heat, Toronto's first road win over the Heat since November 19, 2008, ending a ten-game slide on Miami's home floor. The win was Toronto's 48th of the season and 22nd on the road, both tying franchise records.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/raptors-beat-heat-tie-franchise-win-record/article23889942/|title=Raptors beat Heat, tie franchise win record|author=Reynolds, Tim|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|agency=Associated Press|date=April 11, 2015|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093954/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/raptors-beat-heat-tie-franchise-win-record/article23889942/|url-status=live}}</ref> Four days later, the Raptors broke their franchise record with their 49th win of the season. After the 2014–15 season, [[Lou Williams|Louis Williams]] won the [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award]], becoming the first Raptor to do so. The Raptors faced the [[Washington Wizards]] in the first round of the [[2015 NBA playoffs|2015 playoffs]] and lost four straight games as the Wizards swept the Raptors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nba/toronto-raptors-embarrassed-by-washington-wizards-in-playoff-sweep-leaving-questions-about-teams-future|title=Toronto Raptors embarrassed by Washington Wizards in playoff sweep, leaving questions about team's future|website=NationalPost.com|access-date=May 3, 2017|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210112955/https://nationalpost.com/category/news/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 25, 2015, the Raptors selected [[Delon Wright]] with their first-round pick in the [[2015 NBA draft]], along with [[Norman Powell]] in the second round. On June 29, the Raptors announced their new [[NBA G League]] (then known as the NBA D-League) team, the [[Mississauga]]-based [[Raptors 905]], which began play in the 2015–16 season; the team is named after the area code the team represents.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grange|first1=Michael|title=Raptors announce D-League team: 'Raptors 905′|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-announce-d-league-team-raptors-905/|publisher=sportsnet|access-date=June 30, 2015|date=June 29, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701103117/http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-announce-d-league-team-raptors-905/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Raptors added [[DeMarre Carroll]], [[Cory Joseph]], [[Bismack Biyombo]], and [[Luis Scola]] via free agency.

The Raptors opened a new practice facility, the [[OVO Athletic Centre]], originally known as the BioSteel Centre, in [[Exhibition Place]], on February 10, 2016. The Raptors hosted the [[2016 NBA All-Star Game]] on February 14, 2016, and its associated weekend for the first time in its history. With a 105–97 win at home against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2016, the Raptors attained their first-ever 50-win season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Girard|first1=Daniel|title=Raptors beat Hawks 105-97 to notch first 50-win season|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160330/ATLTOR/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nba:scoreboard/|website=www.nba.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures|access-date=March 30, 2016|date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610150142/http://www.nba.com/games/20160330/ATLTOR/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nba:scoreboard/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following day the Raptors clinched the Atlantic Division title for the third consecutive season as a result of a Boston Celtics loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-clinch-atlantic-division-title-celtics-loss-blazers/|title=Raptors clinch Atlantic Division title with Celtics' loss to Blazers - Sportsnet.ca|website=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=May 3, 2017|archive-date=January 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103073110/http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-clinch-atlantic-division-title-celtics-loss-blazers/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 56–26 record became the best Raptors regular season ever, fourth overall in the league and second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. Entering the [[2016 NBA playoffs|2016 playoffs]] as the East's second seed,<ref>MacKenzie, Holly. [http://www.nba.com/raptors/holly-blog/rapspacers-preview-041316 2016 Playoffs: Raptors vs. Pacers Series Preview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502050120/http://www.nba.com/raptors/holly-blog/rapspacers-preview-041316 |date=May 2, 2016 }}. (April 14, 2016) NBA.com</ref> the Raptors were pushed to seven games by the [[Indiana Pacers]], but won their first playoff series in 15 years.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/demar-derozan-raptors-pacers-game-7-1.3561661 Raptors triumph in Game 7 over Pacers, advance to 2nd round] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505032759/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/demar-derozan-raptors-pacers-game-7-1.3561661 |date=May 5, 2016 }}, CBC Sports</ref> Another seven-game series against the Miami Heat ensued, which Toronto also won. The Raptors, who were one of the four teams that never reached the [[NBA Conference Finals]] in their histories, appeared in the third round for the first time in their twenty-first season, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers,<ref>[http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/raptors-beat-heat-advance-to-conference-finals-1.2903216 Raptors beat Heat, advance to conference finals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516003019/http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/raptors-beat-heat-advance-to-conference-finals-1.2903216 |date=May 16, 2016 }}, CTV News</ref> in which they ultimately lost the series 4–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-cleveland-cavaliers-1.3604690|title=Raptors' magic season ends with Game 6 loss to Cavaliers|author=Ian Harrison|publisher=CBC.ca|date=May 27, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2016|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530064011/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-cleveland-cavaliers-1.3604690|url-status=live}}</ref> The Cavaliers advanced to the [[2016 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] and became champions.

In preparation for their title push, the Raptors conducted a series of trades, including on February 14, 2017, when Terrence Ross and a first-round pick were traded for [[Serge Ibaka]] from the Orlando Magic,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/02/14/report-serge-ibaka-toronto-raptors-trade-orlando-magic-terrence-ross#/|title=Orlando Magic trade Serge Ibaka to Toronto Raptors|publisher=NBA Media Ventures|website=www.nba.com|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224095455/https://www.nba.com/article/2017/02/14/report-serge-ibaka-toronto-raptors-trade-orlando-magic-terrence-ross#/|url-status=live}}</ref> and on February 23, 2017, when [[Jared Sullinger]] and two second-round picks were traded for PJ Tucker.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2017/02/23/pj-tucker-trade-raptors|title=Report: Suns trade P.J. Tucker to Raptors for Jared Sullinger|work=SI.com|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421214424/https://www.si.com/nba/2017/02/23/pj-tucker-trade-raptors|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[2017 NBA playoffs]], the third-seeded Raptors defeated the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] during the first round 4–2, but lost to the defending champions Cavaliers in the second round 4–0.

[[File:DeMar DeRozan (25716541587).jpg|thumb|left|On January 1, 2018, [[DeMar DeRozan]] scored a franchise-record 52 points against the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].]]
On January 1, 2018, DeMar DeRozan scored a franchise-record 52 points to help the Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 131–127 in overtime, matching the team record with their 12th consecutive home victory. DeRozan became the third player in Raptors history to score 50 or more in a single game—the others being [[Vince Carter]] and [[Terrence Ross]], who each had 51.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975292|title=DeRozan scores franchise-high 52, Raptors beat Bucks 131-127|work=ESPN.com|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106091108/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975292|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 7, 2018, Toronto became the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot in the [[2017–18 NBA season|2017–18 season]], with a 121–119 overtime win over the [[Detroit Pistons]] in Detroit, and set a new franchise record in earliest playoff qualification, doing so in only their 64th game of the season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=MacKenzie|first1=Holly|title=Game Preview: Raptors vs. Rockets|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/gameday-030918|website=www.nba.com|access-date=March 10, 2018|date=March 9, 2018|quote=This is the earliest date Toronto has ever qualified for the postseason and the fewest games played (64) to qualify|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310202516/http://www.nba.com/raptors/gameday-030918|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 6, 2018, the Raptors became [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] regular season champions, securing the number one seed for the first time in franchise history with a 92–73 win over the Indiana Pacers, in the process also setting new records for single-season wins at 57 and home wins with 33, with three games remaining on the schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4129761/toronto-raptors-nba-eastern-conference-win-2018/|title=Toronto Raptors beat Indiana Pacers to clinch top spot in NBA's Eastern Conference|work=Global News|access-date=March 7, 2018|date=April 6, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714125842/https://globalnews.ca/news/4129761/toronto-raptors-nba-eastern-conference-win-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Raptors finished the regular season with a franchise-record 59 wins, which was the second-best overall in the league behind only the [[Houston Rockets]].

The Raptors faced off the Washington Wizards in the first round of the [[2018 NBA playoffs]], a rematch of the 2015 playoffs. The Raptors defeated the Wizards 4–2. The Raptors were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, becoming the first number one seed to get swept before the Conference Finals since [[1969 NBA playoffs|1969]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thesportster.com/news/raptors-swept-by-cavaliers/|title=Raptors Make History After Being Swept By The Cavaliers|last=Hoegler|first=Alex|date=May 8, 2018|work=TheSportster|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630024808/https://www.thesportster.com/news/raptors-swept-by-cavaliers/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite winning Coach of the Year, Casey was subsequently fired as coach on May 11.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dwane Casey Relieved Of Head Coaching Duties|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/press-releases/raptors-coach-casey-relieved|website=Toronto Raptors|access-date=May 13, 2018|date=May 11, 2018|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808181552/https://www.nba.com/raptors/press-releases/raptors-coach-casey-relieved|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nick Nurse]] was promoted to replace Casey as head coach on June 14.