The NBA schedule release always brings a wave of excitement, debate, and tactical plotting for fans across the league. But for the Toronto Raptors, the unveiling of the 2026/27 broadcast schedule has sparked more questions than answers—specifically regarding how the rest of the basketball world views the franchise’s high-stakes ambitions.
As the lone franchise based outside of the United States, the Raptors are accustomed to operating on the periphery of the American broadcasting spotlight. For the upcoming season, Toronto has been handed just seven national TV games, featuring high-profile matchups against the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers.
While this actually marks a slight tick upward compared to recent years, prominent Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg was quick to point out a glaring historical contrast on X (formerly Twitter): back in 2018, when Toronto famously pulled off the blockbuster trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard the first time around, the team commanded a massive 15 nationally televised games.
The Kawhi Factor: Lingering Doubts or Strategic Hesitation?
Seeing the Raptors slotted for only seven marquee broadcasts—fewer even than the Los Angeles Clippers (eight)—has raised eyebrows across the Association. Industry insiders suggest there are two primary theories explaining the disparity.
- Trade Uncertainty: The most glaring concern is the ongoing league investigation hanging over the impending Kawhi Leonard trade. With the transaction still technically unfinalized or locked in procedural limbo, television networks may have played it safe, hesitant to over-allocate prime-time slots to a roster whose superstar centerpiece might not even be locked in when the season tips off.
- Shifting Expectations: A more pragmatic argument is that national broadcasters view this iteration of the Raptors differently than the 2018–19 championship machine. When Leonard arrived the first time, he joined an elite, established 59-win machine that had made five straight playoff runs, anchored by multi-time All-Star Kyle Lowry. Today’s squad is an exciting, emerging group centered around 25-year-old franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes and 21-year-old rising talent Collin Murray-Boyles.
Where the Rest of the League Ranks
While Toronto fights for screen time, the league’s heavyweights are dominating the prime-time slots.
The Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks lead the entire association with a staggering 34 national TV games each. Right behind them are the reigning elite: the Oklahoma City Thunder (30), Denver Nuggets (28), and Golden State Warriors (28).
Major roster shakeups across the league also dramatically shifted broadcast power. Following their blockbuster acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat surged to 25 national TV appearances, while teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets settled at 21.
Further down the list, the Detroit Pistons (19), Cleveland Cavaliers (17), Indiana Pacers (11), Portland Trail Blazers (11), and Atlanta Hawks (10) hold down the middle tier. The Phoenix Suns (9), LA Clippers (8), and Orlando Magic (8) sit just above Toronto’s mark of seven. Meanwhile, franchises like the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards linger close behind with six.
A Chip on Toronto’s Shoulder
For a franchise trying to prove that last season’s playoff breakthrough was merely the opening act of a sustained championship window, being handed just seven national windows feels like a slight.
If the ongoing league investigation concludes smoothly, the Kawhi Leonard trade officially goes through, and Scottie Barnes and company start dominating opponents out of the gate, national broadcasters are going to look foolish for underestimating the North. Until then, the Raptors have all the motivation they need to turn every single one of those seven national games into must-watch television.
