Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are kind of an unknown variable in the race to the top of the East. On One hand, the Raptors made the biggest trade in franchise history in landing two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard. On the other, new head coach Nick Nurse has limited NBA coaching experience. Honestly, this offseason brings more questions than answers to what the Raptors will be this season.
During the preseason Leonard’s play has been up and down, but after what was essentially a year off from basketball, it’s not surprising that there’s some rust. As long as he can knock off the rust in a couple of games into the regular season, the Raptors would still be in good shape moving forward.
The Raptors still have some of the best depth in all of basketball and even added an elite 3-and-D player in Danny Green through the Leonard trade. The big man rotation of Jonas Valanciunas, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam and Greg Monroe should be serviceable for the Raptors.
On top of the solid depth, the Raptors still have another All-Star to pair with Leonard. While Kyle Lowery has already started his decline and his age has began to show in recent seasons, he is still an above average point guard for Toronto at this point and a good second fiddle to Leonard.
As long as Leonard can play like the superstar he is and if coach Nurse can prove his worth and do a half way decent job coaching this roster, the Raptors will be a force to reckon with in the East. The Raptors are constructed to be one of the top defensive clubs in the East which should give the Philadelphia 76ers plenty of problems this season.