- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The NBA's 80th anniversary of the 1946-47 BAA season offers the Toronto Raptors a chance to honour the city's first professional basketball franchise.
The Basketball Association of America's inaugural contest took place on November 1, 1946, when the New York Knicks defeated the Toronto Huskies 68-66 at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Huskies lasted only one season before collapsing by 1947.
The Raptors have previously paid tribute to the Huskies, most notably during the 2016-17 campaign that referenced the Lowry and DeRozan era. The 2009-10 squad wore Huskies jerseys, and DeRozan once scored 41 points against the Celtics on a blue and white court while wearing the throwback design. Some observers linked the departure of Chris Bosh to a decline in creative uniform choices.
Reports indicate the Raptors plan to rebrand next season and bring back purple. The club has not announced City Edition jerseys for this year, though speculation suggests a possible Lowry retirement honour featuring an illustration of him as a Raptor.
"The Raptors should fight tooth and nail to set themselves apart," one observer noted. The league currently comprises 30 teams, with 29 American.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).