NBA Power Rankings: Can the Toronto Raptors rise in a wide open East?

1. Toronto Raptors

Off-Season Grade: A

Team Skills’ Grades

Offense: A-

Defense: A

Chemistry: B-

Coaching: B-

Front Office: A-

Team Outlook:

The Toronto Raptors are coming off a franchise-best season in 2017-18 and expectations have been risen for the upcoming NBA season. Especially after trading for one o the best two-way players in the NBA in Kawhi Leonard.

The move to bring Leonard gives the Raptors arguably the best player in the entire Eastern Conference. Add Leonard to a team that won the most games in the Eastern Conference last year and the chances that Toronto repeats as Eastern Conference royalty doubles.

The Raptors also replaced head coach Dwane Casey with first-time NBA head coach, but two-time G-League Champion head coach Nick Nurse.

Nurse will be tasked with taking this Raptors team to the top of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors roster has the talent to make Toronto the best defensive team in the entire NBA with the offensive punch to compete with any NBA team on a nightly basis.

Team Record Predictions : 57 – 25