Last season, the Toronto Raptors took the league by storm, finishing 1st in the Eastern Conference and with the 2nd best record in the league overall. The team was hitting on all levels leading them to a franchise record of 59 wins in the regular season. The Raptors ultimately got swept by LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Since then, the Raptors have traded DeMar DeRozan for star forward Kawhi Leonard. Recent moves have brought up big questions surrounding the franchise. How good are the Raptors? Do they have enough to win? Are the Raptors contenders? Let’s look at the Toronto Raptors championship hopes for the 2018-19 season.
Are the Raptors Contenders?
Why they are:
The Raptors are one of the most overall talented teams in the league with talent at every level of their roster. They were a team that finished with the first seed in the East last season and then arguably upgraded their roster with the addition of Leonard. Leonard gives the Raptors something they never had before, a player who has the ability to guard true elites like James and Durant. The rest of the Raptors roster is nothing to overlook either.
They have a good mix of veterans like Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, and young talent such as Jonas Valanciunas and OG Anunoby. Championship teams need a mix of players like that to have success in the league. The Raptors are also a team in the Eastern Conference, which makes their path to the NBA Finals easier. With an upgraded roster and a mix of young talent and veterans, Toronto should definitely be a team in the mix to go to the Finals this season.
Why they aren’t
The Raptors have one of the most talented teams in the East, but they have for the last 5 seasons and nothing came out of it. In recent years, the Raptors have looked ready to make a deep run in the playoffs and then they look like a completely different team once they get there. While their roster is improved, so are other rosters around the league. Teams like the Celtics and Lakers will be getting injured and new players back also.
The Raptors do have a strong starting five, but they have a lack of depth beyond the starters. Teams like the Celtics and the 76ers have a strong group of starters, but they are also some of the deepest teams in the league. So overall where the Raptors may have improved, other teams are still stronger, which may put a hold on Toronto’s hopes of winning the Championship next season.
How close are they?
Toronto isn’t too far away from being a true contender for the title. Their starting five alone is good enough to compete with any team in the league. All they are really going to need is more depth to help carry the load when the bench comes in to play. If this team wants to win a title they need to be a model of consistency. They can’t be one of the best teams in the regular season and then play like an 8th seed once they get to the playoffs. If the Raptors can improve in those two areas then they should be considered contenders to win it all.
So are they contenders?
Maybe, if their bench players can step up this season. The Raptors could easily be a team that goes far next season, but there are lots of ifs that go with it. So while we may see them in the NBA Finals next season, we may also see an early exit from them in the Playoffs. No matter what happens next season they will definitely be one of the most interesting teams to follow.
Main Photo
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 1 – Serge Ibaka (9) of the Toronto Raptors after hitting a 3 point shot during the 2nd half of NBA action as the Washington Wizards defeat the Toronto Raptors 105-96 at the Air Canada Centre on March 1, 2017. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
