Editing Toronto Raptors (section)

===1995–1999: Struggles of a new franchise<!-- Do not name it after Vince Carter -->===
As general manager, Isiah Thomas quickly staffed the management positions with his own personnel, naming long-time [[Detroit Pistons]] assistant [[Brendan Malone]] as the Raptors' head coach.<ref name="groundwork" /> The team's roster was then filled as a result of an [[1995 NBA expansion draft|expansion draft in 1995]]. Following a [[coin flipping|coin flip]], Toronto was given first choice and selected [[Chicago Bulls]] [[point guard]] and [[Three-point field goal|three-point]] specialist [[B. J. Armstrong]].<ref name="groundwork" /> Armstrong refused to report to the club, and Thomas promptly traded him to the [[Golden State Warriors]] for [[power forward (basketball)|power forwards]] [[Carlos Rogers (basketball)|Carlos Rogers]] and [[Victor Alexander]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/connections-run-deep-between-warriors-and-raptors-franchises|title=Connections run deep between Warriors and Raptors franchises|date=May 29, 2019|access-date=May 6, 2021|newspaper=Toronto Sun|last=Wolstat|first=Ryan|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507122338/https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/connections-run-deep-between-warriors-and-raptors-franchises|url-status=live}}</ref> Thomas then selected a wide range of players in the expansion draft, including veterans [[Jerome Kersey]], [[Willie Anderson (basketball)|Willie Anderson]] and his former Pistons teammate [[John Salley]].<ref name="groundwork" />

Subsequent to the expansion draft, the Raptors landed the seventh pick in the [[NBA draft lottery]], behind their fellow 1995 expansion club, the Vancouver Grizzlies. Thomas selected [[Damon Stoudamire]],<!-- prior to 2010, the player written off is [[Damon Stoudamire]]; the player written off in 2010 is [[Amar'e Stoudemire]] — notice the "a" vs the "e" following "Stoud" --> a point guard out of [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]], around whom the franchise would seek to construct its near future.<ref name="groundwork" /> However, the selection of Stoudamire was met with [[Booing|boos]] from fans at the [[1995 NBA draft]] at the SkyDome in Toronto, many of whom wanted [[Ed O'Bannon]] of [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]], an [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Final Four]] [[Most valuable player|Most Valuable Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tucson.com/sports/basketball/professional/nba/draft-flashback-stoudamire-made-quick-impact-with-raptors/article_12ca29d4-eb0a-5dd1-8e8c-363506a63dcd.html|title=Draft flashback: Stoudamire made quick impact with Raptors|last=Rosenblatt|first=Zack|date=June 12, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=tucson.com|publisher=Arizona Daily Star|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506205806/https://tucson.com/sports/basketball/professional/nba/draft-flashback-stoudamire-made-quick-impact-with-raptors/article_12ca29d4-eb0a-5dd1-8e8c-363506a63dcd.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:RogersCentre Toronto Sept1-05.jpg|thumb|SkyDome, known as [[Rogers Centre]] since 2005, was the original venue for Raptors home games from 1995 to 1999]]
In the team's first official NBA game, [[Alvin Robertson]] scored the first NBA points in Raptors history,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/former-raptor-arrested-on-6-warrants-1.642632|title=Former Raptor arrested on 6 warrants|date=February 1, 2007|access-date=April 25, 2007|website=CBC.ca|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|archive-date=April 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404170732/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/former-raptor-arrested-on-6-warrants-1.642632|url-status=live}}</ref> while Stoudamire recorded 10 points and 10 assists in a 94–79 victory over the New Jersey Nets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199511030TOR.html|title=New Jersey Nets at Toronto Raptors Box Score, November 3, 1995|website=basketball-reference.com|access-date=May 9, 2011|archive-date=May 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524074920/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199511030TOR.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Raptors concluded their inaugural season with a 21–61 win–loss record,<ref name="9596stand"/> although they were one of the few teams to defeat the Chicago Bulls, who set a then all-time NBA best 72–10 win–loss regular season record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.nba.com/news/on-this-date-toronto-raptors-history-march-24-defeat-72-win-bulls-team-damon-stoudamire-michael-jordan-christie-murry/1l4m2w11qh7161wnr0dg3qebxj|title=On This Date: Expansion Toronto Raptors hand historic Chicago Bulls their eighth loss of the season|last=McGregor|first=Gilbert|publisher=NBA|website=ca.nba.com|date=March 24, 2021|access-date=May 6, 2021|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507015932/https://ca.nba.com/news/on-this-date-toronto-raptors-history-march-24-defeat-72-win-bulls-team-damon-stoudamire-michael-jordan-christie-murry/1l4m2w11qh7161wnr0dg3qebxj|url-status=live}}</ref> With averages of 19.0 [[point (basketball)|points]] and 9.3 [[assist (basketball)|assists]] per game, Stoudamire also won the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995–96]] Rookie of the Year Award.<ref name="stoudinfo">{{cite web|title=Damon Stoudamire Info Page|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/damon_stoudamire/bio.html|website=www.nba.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712081730/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/damon_stoudamire/bio.html|archive-date=July 12, 2007|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref>

In November of the [[1996–97 NBA season|1996–97 season]], Bitove sold his ownership interest in the team to Slaight for $65 million after Slaight had activated a [[shotgun clause]] in their partnership agreement,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/10/21/Franchises/RAPTORS-UP-FOR-GRABS-AS-SLAIGHT-ENACTS-BUYOUT-CLAUSE.aspx|title=Raptors up for grabs as Slaight enacts buyout clause|date=October 21, 1996|access-date=December 27, 2013|archive-date=December 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228222845/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/10/21/Franchises/RAPTORS-UP-FOR-GRABS-AS-SLAIGHT-ENACTS-BUYOUT-CLAUSE.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/d77393e4d1aeb24a3a980f15a557f8cf|title=Bitove Bows out, Slaight Maps Out Raptors' Future|date=November 15, 1996|access-date=December 27, 2013|work=[[Associated Press]]|archive-date=July 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701164926/https://apnews.com/d77393e4d1aeb24a3a980f15a557f8cf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Allan Slaight wins control of Raptors|date=November 16, 1996|last=Smith|first=Doug|newspaper=[[The Kingston Whig-Standard]]}}</ref> giving Slaight 79 per cent control of the team,<ref>{{cite news|title=Slaight maps out the future: Bitove bows out of Raptors' life|date=November 16, 1996|newspaper=[[The Hamilton Spectator]]}}</ref> and remaining minority partner of the [[Scotiabank|Bank of Nova Scotia]] (10 per cent), Thomas (9 per cent) Peterson (1 per cent) and Granovsky (1 per cent).<ref>{{cite news|title=Battle for ownership of Raptors on horizon|date=October 19, 1996|newspaper=[[St. Catharines Standard]]}}</ref> Slaight subsequently acquired the 1 per cent, which had been owned by both Peterson and Granovsky, who had died a year earlier.<ref name="arenawars"/><ref name=goesforcontrol>{{cite news|title=Thomas' group goes for control: Talks with Slaight under way|date=February 24, 1997|newspaper=[[The Hamilton Spectator]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/71b6ccc6b83398a0d91e0995747e11a7|title=Raptors' Ownership Member Dies|date=December 25, 1995|work=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=January 16, 2023|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423021254/https://apnews.com/71b6ccc6b83398a0d91e0995747e11a7|url-status=live}}</ref> In their second season the team put up a 30–52 record and selected [[Center (basketball)|centre]] [[Marcus Camby]] with the second overall pick in the [[1996 NBA draft]]. By the end of the season, Camby earned a berth on the NBA's All-Rookie Team, while Stoudamire continued to play well, averaging 20.2 points and 8.8 assists per game.<ref name="rap9697">{{cite web|title=Giant Killers on the Rise|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/199697.html|website=www.nba.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures|access-date=April 23, 2007|archive-date=February 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220065039/http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/199697.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As in the previous season, the Raptors were one of only 11 teams to topple the eventual 1997 champions, the Chicago Bulls.<ref name="rap9697" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997_games.html|access-date=April 21, 2007|title=Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors Box Score, December 8, 1996|website=www.basketball-reference.com|archive-date=June 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616131102/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997_games.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Raptors also defeated the [[Houston Rockets]], [[Utah Jazz]] and Miami Heat, all of which were eventual Conference finalists.<ref name="rap9697" /> However, the Raptors struggled against teams who were not of championship calibre, including three losses to the 15–67 [[Boston Celtics]].<ref name="rap9697" />

In the [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98 season]], the team suffered numerous injuries and slid into a 17-game losing streak.<ref name="rap9798">{{cite web|title=1997–98: New Arena Brings New Hope|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/199798.html|website=www.nba.com|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-date=February 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220065037/http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/199798.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After Thomas' attempts to execute a letter of intent with Slaight to purchase the team failed, he resigned his position with the team in November and sold his 9 per cent stake in the team to Slaight.<ref name=goesforcontrol/><ref name=vacates>{{cite news|title=Thomas vacates Raptors post Toronto GM quits as contract negotiations with Slaight crumble without 'viable resolution'|date=November 21, 1997|last1=Grange|first1=Michael|last2=Christie|first2=James|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref name=rapsleafsdeal>{{cite news|title=Deal between Raptors and Leafs has a|date=February 13, 1998|last=Tedesco|first=Theresa|publisher=[[Canwest]]}}</ref> This left Slaight with 90 per cent and the Bank of Nova Scotia with 10 per cent.<ref name=vacates/> Thomas was replaced by [[Glen Grunwald]] as general manager.<ref>Beck, Howard, [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/sports/basketball/01knicks.html?ex=1320037200&en=f38e35baf7e7a253&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "On Knicks' Sideline, a Survivor Faces a Stern Test"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423200107/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/sports/basketball/01knicks.html?ex=1320037200&en=f38e35baf7e7a253&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |date=April 23, 2009 }}, nytimes.com, November 1, 2006, accessed April 12, 2007</ref> With Thomas gone, Stoudamire immediately sought a trade.<ref>Grange, Michael [http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070307.wsptrapseal7/GSStory/GlobeSports "Stoudamire finally content"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215728/http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070307.wsptrapseal7/GSStory/GlobeSports |date=September 27, 2007 }}, globesports.com, March 3, 2007, accessed April 21, 2007.</ref> On February 13, 1998, he was shipped to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] along with [[Walt Williams]] and Carlos Rogers for [[Kenny Anderson (basketball)|Kenny Anderson]], [[Alvin Williams]], [[Gary Trent]], two first-round draft choices, a second-round draft choice and cash.<ref name="rap9798" /> Anderson refused to report to Toronto and was traded to the Celtics with [[Žan Tabak]] and [[Popeye Jones]] for [[Chauncey Billups]], [[Dee Brown (basketball, born 1968)|Dee Brown]], [[Roy Rogers (basketball)|Roy Rogers]] and [[John Thomas (basketball)|John Thomas]].<ref name="rap9798" /> When the trading deadline was over, the Raptors became the youngest team in the league with an average age of 24.6 years.<ref name="rap9798" /> They had five rookies on their roster, including the 18-year-old [[Tracy McGrady]], who at the time was the youngest player in the NBA.<ref name="rap9798" /> The inexperienced Raptors struggled throughout the season and their regular season record regressed to 16–66.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19971998.html|title=1997–98 Standings|website=www.nba.com|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-date=December 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216122613/http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19971998.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 12, 1998, Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd., the owners of the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], purchased 100 per cent of the Raptors and the arena the team was building, Air Canada Centre, from Slaight and the Bank of Nova Scotia; Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. later renamed itself Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).<ref name=rapsleafsdeal/><ref>{{cite news|title=Raptors bought by Leafs|date=February 13, 1998|last=Tedesco|first=Theresa|newspaper=[[The Hamilton Spectator]]}}</ref> MLSE paid a reported $467 million, made up of $179 million for the team and $288 million for the arena.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stunning deal sees Leafs buy Raptors|date=February 13, 1998|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=NBA approves sale of Raptors|date=March 28, 1998|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-28-sp-33649-story.html|title=NBA at a Glance / Daily Report|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 28, 1998|access-date=January 10, 2014|archive-date=March 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309193618/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/mar/28/sports/sp-33649|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[1998 NBA draft]], in what became a defining move for the franchise, Grunwald traded the team's fourth overall pick [[Antawn Jamison]] to the [[Golden State Warriors]] for [[Vince Carter]], who was selected fifth overall, and cash.<ref name="vincebio">
[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vince_carter/bio.html Vince Carter Info Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418032307/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vince_carter/bio.html |date=April 18, 2007 }}, nba.com, accessed June 16, 2007.
</ref> To bring further credibility to the Raptors, Grunwald traded Marcus Camby to the New York Knicks for [[Charles Oakley]],<ref name="rap9899">[http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/199899.html 1998–99: Raptors' Best Season Ever] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220065027/http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/199899.html |date=February 20, 2010 }}, nba.com/raptors, accessed June 16, 2007.</ref> a veteran with [[NBA playoffs|playoff]] experience. [[Kevin Willis]], another veteran acquired from the trade, solidified the centre position, while the coaching staff temporarily rotated Brown, Williams and [[Doug Christie]] to play point guard. Both Christie and Williams became talented players in their own right; Christie developed into one of the elite defenders in the NBA,<ref name="rap9899" /> while Williams improved his play on the offensive end. New coach [[Butch Carter]] was also credited with much of the team's turnaround during the lockout-shortened [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 season]]. Although the team did not make the [[1999 NBA playoffs|playoffs]], many were optimistic with the impressive performances of Rookie of the Year Carter<ref name="vincebio" /> and a much improved McGrady.