| ROSTER | ||||||||
| No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Birth Date | Exp | College | |
| 40 | Willie Anderson | G-F | 6-7 | 190 | January 8, 1967 | 7 | University of Georgia | |
| 13 | Doug Christie | G-F | 6-6 | 200 | May 9, 1970 | 3 | Pepperdine University | |
| 55 | Acie Earl | F-C | 6-10 | 240 | June 23, 1970 | 2 | University of Iowa | |
| 4 | Vincenzo Esposito | G | 6-3 | 198 | January 3, 1969 | R | Caserta, Campania | |
| 24 | Jimmy King | G | 6-5 | 210 | August 9, 1973 | R | University of Michigan | |
| 44 | Martin Lewis | F | 6-5 | 210 | April 28, 1975 | R | Seward County CC | |
| 9 | Tony Massenburg | F | 6-9 | 220 | July 31, 1967 | 3 | University of Maryland | |
| 30 | Oliver Miller | C | 6-9 | 280 | April 6, 1970 | 3 | University of Arkansas | |
| 35 | Tracy Murray | F | 6-7 | 225 | July 25, 1971 | 3 | U.C.L.A. | |
| 52 | Dan O’Sullivan | C | 6-10 | 250 | March 3, 1968 | 3 | Fordham University | |
| 54 | Ed Pinckney | F | 6-9 | 195 | March 27, 1963 | 10 | Villanova University | |
| 7 | Alvin Robertson | G | 6-3 | 185 | July 22, 1962 | 9 | University of Arkansas | |
| 33 | Carlos Rogers | C-F | 6-11 | 220 | February 6, 1971 | 1 | Tennessee State | |
| 22 | John Salley | F-C | 6-11 | 230 | May 16, 1964 | 9 | Georgia Tech | |
| 20 | Damon Stoudamire | G | 5-10 | 171 | Sept. 3, 1973 | R | University of Arizona | |
| 3 | Zan Tabak | C | 7-0 | 245 | June 15, 1970 | 1 | Split, Croatia | |
| 23 | Dwayne Whitfield | F | 6-9 | 240 | August 21, 1972 | R | Jackson State University | |
| 32 | Herb Williams | C-F | 6-10 | 242 | Feb. 16, 1958 | 14 | Ohio State University | |
| 9 | Sharone Wright | F-C | 6-11 | 260 | January 30, 1973 | 1 | Clemson University |
Transactions
-May/95: The Raptors ink Vincenzo Esposito, a 6-3 guard from the Italian League club Filodoro Bologna. But Filodoro demanded a high fee for transferring his contract and the NBA initially refused to approve the signing. It is later approved and Esposito is officially unveiled as the first Raptor on Sept. 21.
-June 24/95: In the expansion draft, the Raptors select B.J. Armstrong (Chicago); Tony Massenburg (LA Clippers); Andres Guibert (Minnesota); Keith Jennings (Golden State); Dontonio Wingfield (Seattle); Doug Smith (Dallas); Jerome Kersey (Portland); Zan Tabak (Houston); Willie Anderson (San Antonio); Ed Pinckney (Milwaukee); Acie Earl (Boston); B.J. Tyler (Philadelphia); John Salley (Miami); and Oliver Miller (Detroit). The Raptors select Kersey after Portland agrees to pick up all of Kersey’s $4.4-million salary for next season if Toronto selects him. In October, just before their training camp opens, the Raptors waive Kersey to free up $4.1-million in salary obligations under the cap. Armstrong promptly threatened not to come to Toronto, so he was traded to the Golden State Warriors for Carlos Rogers and the rights to 1995 second-round draft picks Dwayne Whitfield, Martin Lewis and Michael McDonald.
-June 28/95: The NBA Draft is staged at the SkyDome, the first time it is held outside the U.S. It drew a crowd of 21,168. With the seventh overall pick of the draft, the Raptors select Arizona guard Damon Stoudamire, who many never thought should be a top 10 pick. The selection brought a smattering of boos in the SkyDome. Stoudamire, a quick penetrating guard, was thought to be too small to play in the league at 5-10. Raptors vice-president Isiah Thomas “was one of the best point guards to every play and I know I’ll learn a lot from him,” says Stoudamire. “On the defensive end, I might have some problems, but I can work on them and the offence will take care of itself.” Stoudamire dismisses the boos. “It doesn’t make any difference. I’m going to try to make a name for myself. By the time I’m through playing here, these fans will know who Damon Stoudamire is.” In the second round, with the 35th overall pick, Toronto selects Michigan ‘Fab Five’ guard Jimmy King, a 6-5, 210-pounder who averaged 14.7 ppg for the Wolverines.
-July 1/95: Andres Guibert, Keith Jennings, Doug Smith and Dontonio Wingfield become free agents.
-September 18/95: With conclusion of lockout, B.J. Armstrong is traded to the Golden State Warriors for former No. 11 (1994) pick and 6-11 forward Carlos Rogers (Tennessee State), former No. 17 selection 6-10 forward Victor Alexander, as well as the rights to three of the Warriors second-round draft picks in the June entry draft: 6-4 Martin Lewis (from Seward County Community College); Dwayne Whitfield (Jackson State) and Michael McDonald (New Orleans) who is playing in Lyon, France on a one-year contract worth %150,000. The deal was made before the league locked out its players on July 1 but was announced when the lockout is lifted September 18th.
-October 2/95: Sign Alvin Robertson as a free agent.
-October 3/95: Renounce free agent exception rights to Dontonio Wingfield.
-October 4/95: Waive Jerome Kersey. He becomes a free agent.
-October 5/95: Under rookie salary cap, Stoudamire inks a US$4.6-million three-year agreement.
-October 6/95: Training camp opens with 23 invitees,
including Ivano Newbill (waived by the Pistons); Dan O’Sullivan; Continental
Basketball Association MVP Aaron Swinson; CBA defensive player of the year Mike
Bell; former Chicago prep phenom Thomas Hamilton, who was signed as a free
agent; Chris Whitney, the CBA’s rookie of the year; 6-8 Kendrick Warren, who
toiled in the CBA; Montreal’s Dwight Walton, who’d played previous season in
Israel. “I was anxious, not nervous,” said Walton, a veteran of the Canadian national
team. “I’ve been waiting for this chance for five years. I’m finally getting my
shot to show some people a few things.” Also invited as Ron Vercruyssen, a 6-11
centre from Blythe, Ont. who now lives in Belgium. “This is maybe a bit out of
my league,” said Vercruyssen. “There’s a lot of talent out there and I’ve got a
lot of things to learn.” Free agent Dontonio Wingfield, who the Raptors
selected in the expansion draft, does not attend, with the agent saying he was
pursuing a multi-year offer elsewhere. Others invited include Canadian national
team veteran Wayne Yearwood. Jimmy King signs multi-year contract. Martin Lewis
signs contract.
-October 12/95: Cut Gerrod Abram and Canadian team veteran Wayne Yearwood.
-October 17/95: Release Kendrick Warren and Thomas Hamilton, trimming roster to 18 players.
-October 18/95: Trade Victor Alexander to the Atlanta Hawks for 6-5 guard Harold Miner (chosen 12th in 1992 draft by Miami Heat), a second-round pick in 1996 and cash. The deal is quashed four days later when Alexander fails a physical.
-October 31/95: Sign free agent 6-7 forward Tracie Murray to a one-year deal from the Houston Rockets. Murray, from UCLA, appeared in 54 games with the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets in 94-95, averaging 4.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg and 10 mpg.
-November 2/95: In a salary cap measure, the Raptors cut Chris Whitney is cut from roster despite averaging 7.9 ppg and 3.1 apg in the backup point guard spot during eight preseason games. Isiah Thomas says “all of us … would say Chris is a guy who probably deserves to be on this team.” Waive two-year NBA veteran Andres Guibert and Dwayne Whitfield, who had arthroscopic surgery October 13th. Place rookie guard Martin Lewis on the suspended list (with pay) for failure to keep himself in good physical condition. Elect to keep B.J. Tyler and his guaranteed US$1.2-million (U.S.) contract despite the fact the deal is worth $6-million over the term of the contract. Tyler hadn’t played during exhibition season because of nerve damage in left leg caused when he fell asleep with an ice pack on it.
-November 3/95: Renounced free agent exception rights to Andres Guibert.
-January 29/96: Waive John Salley. He becomes a free agent.
-February 18/96: Trade Willie Anderson and injured forward Victor Alexander to New York Knicks for 6-6 guard Doug Christie (drafted out of Pepperdine by Seattle in 1992), 6-11 centre Herb Williams (Ohio State) and $700,000 in cash.
-February 22/96: Trade forward Ed Pinckney, Tony Massenburg, a 1996 2nd round draft pick and a 1997 2nd round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for 6-11 centre Sharone Wright (6th overall pick in 1994 draft from Clemson), who has $15.2-million left on a six-year contract.
-February 23/96: Sign Dwayne Whitfield as a free agent. Exercise option buyout on Herb Williams to void the remaining years on his contract. Waive Williams, who becomes a free agent.
-April 9/96: Sign Dan O’Sullivan to a 10-day contract.
-April 18/96. Waive Dan O’Sullivan, who becomes a free agent.
-April 30/96: Oliver Miller exercises early termination contract option to void the remaining seasons on his contract and become free agent.
-Spring/96: Raptors lose small forward Tracy Murray to free agency. They are already committed to their league mandated $18-million salary cap and are limited to offering free agents like Murray and Alvin Robertson a 20% pay increase. Murray was only earning $250,000 and Raptors can only offer him $300,000. He bails.
Standings
| Eastern Conference | W | L | W/L% | GB | PS/G | PA/G |
| Atlantic Division | ||||||
| Orlando Magic | 60 | 22 | .732 | — | 104.5 | 99.0 |
| New York Knicks | 47 | 35 | .573 | 13.0 | 97.2 | 94.9 |
| Miami Heat | 42 | 40 | .512 | 18.0 | 96.5 | 95.0 |
| Washington Bullets | 39 | 43 | .476 | 21.0 | 102.5 | 101.5 |
| Boston Celtics | 33 | 49 | .402 | 27.0 | 103.6 | 107.0 |
| New Jersey Nets | 30 | 52 | .366 | 30.0 | 93.7 | 97.9 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 18 | 64 | .220 | 42.0 | 94.5 | 104.5 |
| Central Division | ||||||
| Chicago Bulls | 72 | 10 | .878 | — | 105.2 | 92.9 |
| Indiana Pacers | 52 | 30 | .634 | 20.0 | 99.3 | 96.1 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 25.0 | 91.1 | 88.5 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26.0 | 98.3 | 97.1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26.0 | 95.4 | 92.9 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 31.0 | 102.8 | 103.4 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 25 | 57 | .305 | 47.0 | 95.6 | 100.9 |
| Toronto Raptors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 51.0 | 97.5 | 105.0 |
| Western Conference | W | L | W/L% | GB | PS/G | PA/G |
| Midwest Division | ||||||
| San Antonio Spurs | 59 | 23 | .720 | — | 103.4 | 97.1 |
| Utah Jazz | 55 | 27 | .671 | 4.0 | 102.5 | 95.9 |
| Houston Rockets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 11.0 | 102.5 | 100.7 |
| Denver Nuggets | 35 | 47 | .427 | 24.0 | 97.7 | 100.4 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 26 | 56 | .317 | 33.0 | 97.9 | 103.2 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 26 | 56 | .317 | 33.0 | 102.5 | 107.5 |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 15 | 67 | .183 | 44.0 | 89.8 | 99.8 |
| Pacific Division | ||||||
| Seattle Supersonics | 64 | 18 | .780 | — | 104.5 | 96.7 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11.0 | 102.9 | 98.5 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 20.0 | 99.3 | 97.0 |
| Phoenix Suns | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23.0 | 104.3 | 104.0 |
| Sacramento Kings | 39 | 43 | .476 | 25.0 | 99.5 | 102.3 |
| Golden State Warriors | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28.0 | 101.6 | 103.1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35.0 | 99.4 | 103.0 |
Raptors 1995-96 Player Stats at basketballreference.com
Salaries
| 1 | John Salley | $2,402,000 |
| 2 | Oliver Miller | $2,372,000 |
| 3 | Ed Pinckney | $1,926,000 |
| 4 | Victor Alexander | $1,595,000 |
| 5 | Damon Stoudamire | $1,345,000 |
| 6 | Acie Earl | $1,040,000 |
| 7 | Carlos Rogers | $930,000 |
| 8 | B.J. Tyler | $845,000 |
| 9 | Zan Tabak | $650,000 |
| 10 | Tony Massenburg | $550,000 |
| 11 | Vincenzo Esposito | $500,000 |
| 12 | Jimmy King | $300,000 |
| 13 | Tracy Murray | $250,000 |
| 14 | Alvin Robertson | $225,000 |
| 15 | Martin Lewis | $200,000 |
Season wrap
The Raptors finish 21-61, the third worst record in the league but within game of tying for expansion team record (i.e., 22 by Minnesota in 89-90). Front office squabbling between Isiah Thomas and president Richard Peddie and majority owner Allan Slaight dominates the headlines. Previous expansion teams results: the Dallas Mavericks in 80-81 won 23, the Charlotte Hornets in 88-89 won 20, the Miami Heat in 88-89 won 15, the Orlando Magic in 89-90 won 18 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 89-90 won 22. Raptors finished third in the league in attendance, averaging 23,179 in the unfriendly confines of the Skydome. The highlight of the season was a home win over Chicago Bulls in late March. The Raptors had 16 sellouts, including 36,000 to see Chicago. Damon Stoudamire was selected NBA rookie of the year and named to the league’s all-rookie first team. Booed at the entry draft, he told the fans “I forgive you” during season finale at SkyDome. He earned 76 of a possible 113 votes by panel of writers and broadcasters to win the award. One day after the season ends, the Raptors turf coach Brendon Malone and replace him with assistant Darrell Walker. Malone is turfed after a series of highly-publicized tiffs with vice-president Isiah Thomas. The discord began as early as the Raptors first training camp, when Thomas cut Chris Whitney over Malone’s objections. Thomas believed Malone overworked certain players and didn’t apparently develop the bench and younger players like Jimmy King, Carlos Rogers, Vincenzo Esposito, Martin Lewis and Dwayne Whitfield. Thomas also thought Malone jeopardized rookie Damon Stoudamire’s career by playing him too much. Late in the season, Stoudamire’s left knee flared up with aggravated tendinitis, an overuse injury. “A coach coaches to win,” Malone said at farewell press conference. Stoudamire said Malone “didn’t respect us.” Months later, NBA veteran Carlos Rogers says he’d asked several times to be traded because “I didn’t want to have anything to do with an organization that had a fool for a coach.”