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NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Where are the Raptors?

By Mike Luciano

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors drives on LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors drives on LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Power Rankings
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MAY 06: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

12. Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball looks poised to take the next step, but Charlotte has some questions on this roster. Is Mason Plumlee good enough at the center position? Were Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward’s upticks in production flukes? How will James Bouknight and Kai Jones hit into the rotation? Be warned, Charlotte might slide.

11. Washington Wizards

Russell Westbrook is gone, but Bradley Beal remains, and trades helped the Wizards replace their invisible depth with players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell. The roster is still not ideal, but with a defensive coach in Wes Unseld Jr. at the helm, Washington could make some noise if they get into a rhythm.

10. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors will likely be competing for a playoff spot, as this roster is a weird combination of youngsters like Barnes and established veterans like Siakam and VanVleet. Still, considering how consistently Nick Nurse has won over the years, they should be in the playoff picture.

9. Indiana Pacers

With Nate Bjorkgren out and Rick Carlisle in, Indiana could lean on one of the better inside/outside combinations in the East with Domanats Sabonis and Myles Turner in the paint and the Malcolm Brogdon/Caris LeVert tag team on the wing. Perimeter defense will determine how high the ceiling is for this squad