I know you take Kawhi if you can get him and worry about the rest of the roster later... but the Lakers fans here must be kinda happy about how the overall team is looking, aren't you? Haven't followed super close, but my only minor complaint is that (like everyone else) some more shooting wouldn't hurt.
...
East:
- Nets
- Pacers
- 76ers
- Raptors
- Bucks
Agree that there won't be much change this year.
Bucks and
Sixers should be the class of the East, and either team could make waves in the Finals if things break their way.
Celtics should improve and are the most likely team to show a improvement in the standings. The roster doesn't feel finished, but still has enough talent if they overcome chemistry issues of the past. (I think roster changes will help in that regard.)
Nets need Durant to play to be a great team; give them a year and they'll be knocking on the door, but don't expect a jump in the standings while Durant is on the bench.
Heat with Butler should be playoff bound, but it's hard to picture them getting a top-4 seed.
Orlando could be great if Fultz is suddenly great. Don't hold your breath.
Detroit should limp into the playoffs (if healthy) but is doubtful for second round.
Hawks have some nice pieces, but are so young that I don't trust them to win yet.
The biggest question for me is how far the
Raptors fall. They were just under 60 wins last year with Kawhi sitting 20ish games for load management and a litany of injuries to starters and key players. Rolling back "as is" would leave them a solid playoff team, probably a second-round exit... but it might be smarter to take any assets available in trade for veteran players like Lowry and Gasol and drop further in the standings? Hard to say; Masai Ujiri has pulled some bold moves in the past, so who knows what his plan will be this year.
Topic: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto (Read 684336 times)
