Change is afoot this summer as a new era dawns

There was once a rhythm to a Raptors summer.

- DOUG SMITH

Unbeholden to longtime veterans, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic can chart his own path with this group, Doug Smith writes.

TONIGHT

Thunder at Raptors 7 p.m.

(Sportsnet)

Draft, Summer League in Las Vegas, breathless dispatches from runs at UCLA and pronouncements that everyone looks great, lost weight, is in top shape and their shooting has never looked better.

There might be a few changes afoot this year.

Unburdened by the past — and with long-serving veterans who tend to decide where the team might get together en masse — Darko Rajakovic has a few things in mind.

“We’ll have different plans,” the Raptors head coach was mentioning this week.

That means more time in Toronto, more escapes so the group can be by itself every now and then — but a summer dedicated to work.

“We’re going to get our guys back here for sure; we’re going to work a lot in Toronto,” he said, “But I see the value of guys being somewhere else where they can actually bond even more and get to know each other a bit more. Have fun, but at the same time put some good work in.”

One thing Rajakovic would seem to have is control. The likes of Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and to some extent Fred VanVleet had their summer plans and favourite spots. It served the Raptors organization just fine.

Rajakovic isn’t beholden to six- or seven- or even 10-year veterans. He can chart his own path with this group.