Raptors odds: Toronto rides Kevin Durant buzz to solid title chance

The Toronto Raptors established themselves as a team that needs to be taken seriously last season by winning 48 games, and their pursuit of Kevin Durant has only kicked things up a notch. Toronto knows they need to build on the success they had last season. The latest Raptors odds from the bookies in Las Vegas are optimistic.

The Raptors have a tougher task ahead of them in 2022-23. In addition to trying to overtake the mighty Boston Celtics and 76ers in their own division, the likes of the Bucks and Heat remain quality opponents. Even with all those foes, their chance of landing Durant has helped them get some favorable title odds.

According to our friends at WynnBET, the Raptors are listed at +2500 to win the championship, giving them the sixth-best odds in the East. They trail the top four seeds from last year and a Nets team that still has Durant and Irving on the roster. They rank above teams like the new-look Hawks and Timberwolves.

Even though Luka Doncic and Ja Morant helped take the Mavericks and Grizzlies to new heights last season, both of them have only slightly better chances at winning it all at +2300 and +2200, respectively. That should show that the potential of getting Durant has vaunted Toronto into a near-elite tier.

The Toronto Raptors have respectable championship odds.

The Raptors were never going to pass any of the established top four seeds in the conference without officially putting pen to paper on a Durant trade. However, the fact they are considered as viable a contender as teams like Dallas and Memphis is a sign that Vegas is somewhat buying the KD buzz.

Even without Durant, there’s plenty to like when it comes to the Raptors. The three-headed monster of Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet is enough to do some real damage in the postseason. They could break into the top four with some luck.

Considering how down in the dumps Toronto was in Vegas’ eyes last year following their Tampa excursion, the fact that they are considered a somewhat viable championship contender is a major step forward for them. The sharps seem to respect what Masai Ujiri has built.

Adding Durant would instantly vault them at or near the very top of this hypothetical list, showing the impact that he can have on a team despite his advanced age. No matter what ends up happening with him, Toronto should feel confident about their chances to contend.