By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Toronto Raptors are riding a wave of expectation, fueled by the return of Kawhi Leonard. For the team’s European core, the focus is on turning that excitement into wins.
Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic enters his fourth season at the helm with a drastically different perspective than when he arrived in 2023. “I feel much more comfortable in my own skin of coaching the team,” mentioned the Cacak native during the preseason media day on Monday, noting that his family has fully settled into the city.
That comfort will be tested as he integrates Leonard back into the lineup. Rajakovic is realistic about managing a 35-year-old star with an extensive injury history, opting for a cautious, big-picture plan over short-term gratification. Yet, he refuses to back down from the challenge. “For me, pressure is the privilege,” he insisted. “We really worked towards that so we can feel that pressure.”
Austrian center Jakob Poeltl spent his summer altering his training, focusing on mobility to prepare his back for a grueling year. He is eager to share the floor with Leonard. “I think he can help us a lot on both sides of the court,” stated the Vienna native.
The 30-year-old big has also witnessed Rajakovic’s growth firsthand over the last three years. Poeltl described the coach as still being intense, driven, and detail-oriented, but noted a distinct shift in his bench management.
The lone Canadian franchise will play five preseason games before hosting the Chicago Bulls on October 21 to open the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season.
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