- Hakeem Olajuwon was an MVP and two-time Finals MVP.
- Jeremy Lin won a championship with the Raptors.
- Jermaine O’Neal was traded for Shawn Marion.
Some of the best Toronto Raptors players of all time include Vince Carter, Kawhi Leonard, and Tracy McGrady. While these legends increased the team’s NBA championship odds of winning it all over the decades, there are other stars you probably forgot were on the squad (including some well past their prime)
Who could they be?
5 Stars You Forgot Were With the Toronto Raptors
| Player | Games Played With Raptors | Season |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 61 Games | 2001-2002 |
| Chauncey Billups | 29 Games | 1997-1998 |
| Jermaine O'Neal | 41 Games | 2008-2009 |
| Shawn Marion | 27 Games | 2008-2009 |
| Jeremy Lin | 23 Games | 2018-2019 |
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon is widely considered a top 15 player of all time, earning an MVP Award, 12 All-NBA Teams, nine All-Defensive Teams, two championships and two Finals MVP Awards with the Houston Rockets.
Before the 2001-2002 season, “The Dream” was traded to the Raptors, as they were hoping that he’d help Vince Carter and crew advance further in the playoffs.
Did you know that 39 year old Hakeem Olajuwon on the Toronto Raptors gave you 5 games with 5+ blocks? Here are some statlines: (2002)
9 Pts, 6 Reb, 2 Stls, 9 Blks
4 Pts, 10 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stls, 7 Blks
8 Pts, 7 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 7 Blks
14 Pts, 20 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 5 Blks pic.twitter.com/gp3qaa6tJ4
— 2000'𝔰 (@PeakDeadBall) August 24, 2021
While Olajuwon occasionally posted nice stat lines, he still averaged a career-low 7.1 points per game and wasn’t quite the same defensive specialist and rebounder, so he ended up retiring after just one season north of the border.
Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups made a name for himself after leading the Detroit Pistons to a championship over the Los Angeles Lakers and winning Finals MVP in 2004.
Chauncey Billups during his Toronto days! #Views #Raptors (https://t.co/qchvXBwdnL) pic.twitter.com/ZJt9vdoKRe
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) October 9, 2016
“Mr. Big Shot” had a cup of coffee in “The Six” well before his successful run in “Motown,” averaging a promising 11.3 points and 3.3 assists per game with the Raptors during his rookie season.
Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine O’Neal was an absolute force on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball during his prime, as he helped make the Indiana Pacers a perennial threat to win a championship.
Un petit souvenir de Jermaine O'Neal sous le maillot des Raptors? 2008-2009. Halloween game. @Mike_LaviolRaps @Jacklerouge @Raptors @Raptors_FR @RaptorsBE @jermaineoneal pic.twitter.com/NcZQuQ36KE
— Pred (@PredBE) April 30, 2023
While not one of the biggest Toronto Raptors trades in franchise history, he dealt to the team with the hope he’d help shore up their interior defence and rebounding next to Chris Bosh, but injuries limited his effectiveness and availability.
The Raptors ended up shipping him to the Miami Heat just before the trade deadline.
Shawn Marion
With the Raptors desperately needing a small forward, they acquired Shawn Marion from the Heat in the O’Neal trade, but his stay in Toronto was very short.
Shawn Marion in his short run with the Raptors. #TBT #WeTheNorth 🏀 pic.twitter.com/y4KVVTVa1X
— Raptors Fnatic (@RaptorFnatic) October 13, 2016
“The Matrix” averaged a solid 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, but he was no longer the same player he was with the Phoenix Suns.
Marion was primarily known for his ability to score in transition and defend multiple positions, but Toronto just didn’t have the system or personnel that maximized his strengths.
Jeremy Lin
Jeremy Lin was primarily known for his short, but memorable stint with the New York Knicks, as he shockingly broke out to average 18.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 2.0 steals in a 26-game span, otherwise dubbed as the “Linsanity” phase.
Ouuuuuuuuu 👀 pic.twitter.com/KSfv6v0YRC
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 23, 2019
Lin was one of the most popular players in the league for several years, but many people may have forgotten that he wrapped up his NBA career with the Raptors, as he was part of that championship team in 2019.
