TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors are coming off an historic season that saw them win 56 games and play in the Eastern Conference final. Here are five things to watch for the 2016-17 season:

LAST CHANCE WITH LOWRY?

Like DeMar DeRozan did this year, all-star guard Kyle Lowry is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract next summer, joining a potentially star-studded group of free agents. Until then, however, Lowry isn't interested in talking about his future. "I'm really focused on helping my team be the best team they can be, getting to the point where we can take the next step," he said.

THE NEW GUY

Toronto's only newcomer with NBA experience, Jared Sullinger, left Boston to a sign a one-year deal with the Raptors. He was expected to start in the front court alongside Jonas Valanciunas until suffering a foot injury that required surgery. He could miss as much as a quarter of the season. Coach Dwane Casey had envisioned Sullinger as a rebounding asset who can also spread the floor and connect from long range. "I trust his three-point shooting," Casey said. "We want him to take it, we encourage him to take it."

TWO MORE YEARS

Two years after being drafted, Brazilian prospect Bruno Caboclo isn't close to making regular contributions to the Raptors. Caboclo spent the bulk of last season with Toronto's D-League team, averaging 14.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 37 games. Famously described by commentator Fran Franschilla as being "two years away from being two years away" when he was drafted in 2014, Caboclo figures to be back in the D-League this season, honing his game with help from new coach Jerry Stackhouse.

PASSPORT CONTROL

With a roster that already featured two Brazilians (Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira), a Lithuanian (Valanciunas), and a Canadian (Cory Joseph), the Raptors added more international assets on draft night. Toronto's two first round picks were seven-foot centre Jakob Poeltl, the first Austrian in NBA history, and forward Pascal Siakam, one of three NBA players from Cameroon.

CALMER TIMES

Last season was a whirlwind for the Raptors. Besides their deep playoff run, they launched a D-League team, moved into a new practice facility, travelled to London for a January game against Orlando, and hosted the All-Star game for the first time in February. "Incredible year, it was go, go, go, go, go," said Masai Ujiri, the team's president. "You name it, we did it. It's tough on our players and everybody." Having a little less on the agenda this season could be a blessing for Toronto.