The Toronto Raptors have just won basketball’s biggest prize, but next year may actually hold an easier route to the NBA Finals.
The Toronto Raptors will enter next season as the defending champions after their historic ascent to winning their first ever NBA title. On the way to achieving their goal, they tore through the Eastern Conference, a feat they hope to repeat next season.
With LeBron James playing out west, the conference remains ripe for the picking. Things may change with free agency looming but the Raptors must be considered favoured to win the East should Kawhi Leonard re-sign with the team.
Without question, that is a significant “if”. Leonard is arguably the best player on the planet and currently the most important person in the organization. Without the Finals MVP, the Raptors run through the playoffs would have ended far short of a title.
Should the Klaw find that Toronto is his best landing spot, it puts the team in position to return to the NBA Finals. As a result of the changing landscape for the 2020 season, the Raptors could find less resistance getting there.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers were true contenders to win the East until Victor Oladipo injured his right knee in a game against the Raptors. He is slated to return in either December or January next season. Oladipo’s return makes free agency all that more important for the Pacers.
Even with Oladipo back with the team, they could be without players that helped them find success. Four important players, Bojan Bogdanovic, Thaddeus Young, Darren Collison, and Cory Joseph all will test free agency.
Indiana has already added a power forward TJ Warren to the roster, a sign they might be ready to move on from Young. They’re also rumoured to have interest in Ricky Rubio, an indication they are ready to move on from their current point guard situation. Bogdanvic is expected to be back with the team, although they might not have room to do much else.
The Indiana Pacers will return a team comparable to last season. While they should be taken seriously, that’s a level short of the Toronto Raptors.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics were considered favourites after falling short of defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 playoffs. They lost to James and the Cavs in seven games but were without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. The pair was unavailable to play due to their respective injuries. In 2019 both stars were back in the lineup, but the Celtics could not overcome their own dysfunction.
The Celtics now brace for a tumultuous offseason that appears as though they are about to lose both Al Horford and Irving to free agency. Boston had visions of trading for Anthony Davis, but when the Lakers scooped him, it provided the Raptors with some relief.
Though the team does still feature young stars and has an apparent shot at Kemba Walker they will no longer be a potential juggernaut. It would not be surprising to see the Celtics drop to the middle of the pack.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers were a bounce (or four) away from going to overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. They were a legitimate threat with an incredible starting five. Many in that city believed that the process had paid off and that 2019 was their year.
Unfortunately for the Sixers, their gamble to move out assets and acquire Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris might not pan out. They now run the real risk of losing both those players to other teams. The pair and JJ Redick are all free agents as of July 1. Chances are Philadelphia won’t re-sign them all and are in danger of losing all three.
Without one of the most feared starting units in the association, the Sixers might not be the same force next season.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were a team that was in the spotlight throughout the playoffs despite not qualifying to play in them. They were in many discussions as they were linked to two important players, Kevin Durant and Irving.
The Knicks may have put all their eggs in the Durant basket, which was a play that may have seemingly backfired once the superstar ruptured his Achilles tendons. It now also looks as though Irving may be on his way to the other New York team.
Without securing any of their primary targets, the Knicks may remain a bottom dweller in the league.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets may become the ire of all Knicks fans. They recently took over the lead of Las Vegas odds to sign Durant. They appear to be a lock to acquire Irving and have even been linked to DeAndre Jordan whom they believe will help lure Durant.
The Nets could easily find themselves near the top of the conference next year. If they manage to sign the aforementioned players, they may even become favourites to win the east. However, that’s not likely to occur until 2021, when Durant is expected to return from injury. That still leaves the Raptors a one year window with little resistance.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks finished first overall this past regular season. Vegas predicted that they would be the ones to square off against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, but the Raptors shocked the world and took them down in six games.
If the Bucks are able to retain a similar team to last season, they’ll pose an extreme challenge to the Raptors. However, if they’re unable to retain any of Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, or Brook Lopez, they’ll take an extreme hit.
The Raptors may have found a way to counter Giannis Antetokounmpo and keep him from taking over games. Unless the Greek Freak takes steps in improving himself, Nick Nurse could continue to find ways to keep him from dominating.
It would not be a surprise to see the Raps and Deer go head to head in the Conference Finals yet again next year. It appears that the Bucks could be the Raptors only roadblock to the Finals.
The rest of the Eastern Conference
The remainder of the teams in the Eastern Conference do not pose a great threat to the Raptors at this time. Of course, things could change in hurry with the execution of a massive trade or a team making some key signings. Until that happens, the Raptors could potentially cruise to the Finals.
Once there, it looks as though they will have their hands full with a powerful Western Conference opponent. Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers are favoured to win the 2020 title, though the field in that conference is loaded with talent.
The Raptors hope, beyond just re-signing Leonard, must be that Siakam will continue to improve and that they can either reach a deal with Danny Green or find a formidable replacement for that spot. If that means Norman Powell fills the vacated role, the Raptors should still feel confident that they could roll through their competition.
We will soon know for certain what the landscape of the NBA will hold for this coming season and what all the moving pieces will mean for the Raptors.