The Toronto Raptors’ odds of making the postseason took a huge hit as soon as they were forced to play in Florida, as the combination of a weakened roster, injury problems, and the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a relocation to Tampa for the season made it almost impossible for the squad to ever get into any sort of groove.
The Raptors could easily turn things around and make it back to the postseason next year, even if a title might seem a bit too farfetched of a goal. Still, the Raptors will go into 2021 with enough star power to make moves in the East.
Once again, it looks like the oddsmakers down in Las Vegas have disrespected the Raptors’ odds of being able to compete. Their championship odds are only slightly better than some of the worst teams in the sport.
The latest NBA odds from WynnBet have given the Raptors +7500 odds to win the title next year. While that is on par with the Pelicans and Pacers, it is slightly below teams like the Knicks and Trail Blazers. It remains slightly ahead of NBA doormats like the Kings, Magic, Timberwolves, and Thunder, just to name a few.
Maybe Scottie Barnes could change those odds?
With the 4th pick of the @NBADraft, the @Raptors select @ScottBarnes561!
— NBA (@NBA) July 30, 2021
2021 #NBADraft presented by State Farm LIVE on ABC & ESPN pic.twitter.com/eq8NKaTkdX
The Toronto Raptors should have better championship odds.
The possible departure of Kyle Lowry would hurt, but the Raptors would still go into the 2021 season with 2019 title holdovers Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Fred VanVleet on the roster. With Chris Boucher and Barnes also in the mix, that doesn’t sound like a team with pitiful title odds.
The Trail Blazers might be forced to part with Damian Lillard, the Pelicans have yet to get Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram a third co-star, and the Bulls have been stuck in the lottery for years after continuously swinging and missing on big-name acquisitions.
All of them STILL have either equal or comparable championship odds when matched up against the Raptors!
There has been "no firm decision on what my future will be," Lillard added.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 16, 2021
Calling for more urgency from Blazers officials in assembling a contending team, Lillard says there are "a lot of positives" in Portland but "it's not enough."
Even if you’re of the opinion that the Raptors won’t contend for a title next year, a perfectly reasonable viewpoint, the fact that the sportsbooks seem to think that the Raptors are destined for another season in the basement of the NBA has to be discouraging.
Looks like Toronto will have to defy the odds once again. A return to their true home court at Scotiabank Arena, the increased vaccination levels making it less likely for COVID-19 to derail their season, and, quite frankly, an improved roster could help Toronto’s title odds improve in short order.