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Raptors: 3 Eastern Conference rivals who got worse this offseason

By Mike Luciano

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass the ball as Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass the ball as Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors, Fred VanVleet
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 07: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives on Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

2. Brooklyn Nets

While the Nets will likely improve in the standings next season, as they will lean on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving while Ben Simmons reintegrates himself, this team still have plenty of questions that need to be answered. A team lacking in depth and defense got even more deficient in both of those areas.

Royce O’Neale cost a first-round pick to acquire, and he is an inferior player to Bruce Brown. Outside of a few non-guaranteed signings, the only noteworthy name Brooklyn added this offseason was Markieff Morris. The perimeter defense is still among the league’s worst, and LaMarcus Aldridge may leave the team for retirement.

The Nets might not be much better than the Raptors.

Any team with Durant, Irving, and Simmons on it is going to compete for a championship. Having said that, last year proved that leaning on so many superstars that have issues with availability can be a nightmare for a team lacking depth in all areas.

Brooklyn has shown that their momentum can be punctured by a motivated team. Brooklyn may not have blown it all up in the offseason or traded Durant to Toronto, but they certainly didn’t improve. A vulnerable Nets team could struggle against a Raptors team that is coming into their own.