Toronto Raptors: 3 most exciting potential play-in opponents

Best: Charlotte Hornets

Maybe the best way to arrive at who would be the best play-in match-up for the Raptors would be to find a team that is a mix of young talent and one or two potential superstars. That mostly describes LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and the Charlotte Hornets.

Hayward is having a resurgent year averaging 19.6 points, along with 5.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Hayward is a leader to a younger Hornets core including the rookie point guard and budding superstar Ball. He’s already torched the Raptors this season, and he is looking to do so again in the playoffs.

The Hornets and Toronto Raptors would be in for a dogfight.

Although Ball has been out injured since March 20 when he fractured his wrist in a loss to the Clippers, he returned to action, showing off the passing skill and scoring touch that made him one of the top prospects in last year’s draft.

This will bring nothing but joy to Hornets fans, who finally have a chance to taste some playoff action after years of mediocrity.

Just how the Toronto Raptors and their aging backcourt will match up against Hayward, the dynamic Ball, and fellow young gun Miles Bridges remains to be seen. In a way, the Hornets are what the Raptors were last season; a mix of youth and experience that is exciting to watch.