The 2004–05 NBA season was the Raptors' tenth season in the National Basketball Association. A new management team of head coach Sam Mitchell, and General Manager Rob Babcock was hired before the 2004–05 season by the Raptors. On December 17, 2004, disgruntled All-Star Vince Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and Alonzo Mourning. Mourning would never report to Toronto and he was waived not long after the trade. He later signed with the Miami Heat for his second stint. Guard Alvin Williams missed the entire season due to right knee inflammation. The Raptors finished fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 33–49 record, which was the same record as the previous season. Sophomore star Chris Bosh showed improvement averaging 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
This season marked the end of the Vince Carter era and began the Chris Bosh era in Toronto and the Raptors first season without Carter on the roster since the 1997-98 season. Carter, now as a Net, returned to Toronto on April 15, 2005. He was booed by the Toronto crowd during starting lineups and whenever he touched the ball. This tradition continued until 2015, where he has since played for the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, the Atlanta Hawks.
Offseason
In the NBA draft, the Raptors selected Rafael Araújo and Albert Miralles. Miralles was traded to the Miami Heat for Pape Sow and a 2005 2nd round draft pick on draft day. Araújo would only play three seasons in the NBA: two with the Raptors, and one with the Utah Jazz.
Over the offseason, the Raptors signed two free agents. On July 14, they signed Rafer Alston, and on August 18, they signed Loren Woods.
Draft picks
Roster
Roster Notes
Guard Alvin Williams missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
Regular season
The Raptors started the season well, winning their first three games. On November 9, they lost against the Sacramento Kings, but they would win the next game against the Utah Jazz. the Raptors then suffered a five-game losing streak, which was snapped when they won against the San Antonio Spurs on November 21. They would lose against the Washington Wizards on November 23, and the next day, they would win against the New York Knicks. They would lose two straight games against the Knicks and the Wizards, and they would win their last game of the month of November against the Miami Heat. At the end of November, the Raptors had a 7–9 record.
December was the team's worst month of the season, winning 20% of their games. They started the month with a seven-game losing streak which ended on the 15th with a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On the 17th, Vince Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, a 2005 1st round draft pick, and a 2006 1st round draft pick. The same day, the Raptors played against the Indiana Pacers and lost. Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and Mourning did not play the game due to a pending physical. Ironically, the next game (on December 19) was against the New Jersey Nets. However, Vince Carter did not play in this game. The Raptors beat the Nets 110-99. The next day, the Raptors lost to the Houston Rockets. On December 22, the Raptors beat the Utah Jazz. To end the month, the Raptors went on a 3-game losing streak against the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Golden State Warriors. At the end of the month, the Raptors had a 10-21 record, and during the month of December, they were 0-10 on the road.
January was the team's best month of the season, and they won eight of the 14 games they played during the month. They won two games in a row against the Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings to begin the month, and they lost on January 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks. They once again won two games in a row, beating the Golden State Warriors on the 9th, and the Boston Celtics on the 12th. In the game against the Celtics, Morris Peterson scored a team-season high of 37 points. They were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers on the 14th. The Raptors then went on a three-game winning streak, which would be ended by a loss against the Wizards on the 21st. They won against the Charlotte Bobcats on the 23rd, and they would end the month with a three-game losing streak. At the end of the month, the Raptors had an 18-27 record.