NBA: Predicting 4 teams that will take the biggest step back in 2021

Toronto Raptors

Two years removed from their first NBA title in history, I believe we could see somewhat of a regression from a team that was one win away from another appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. The biggest reason why, well, there are a few. First, the rise of the Brooklyn Nets.

With the Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and improvement from the Philadelphia 76ers, you can make the case that the Toronto Raptors will be the fifth or sixth-best team in the East at best this season. Plus, I don’t think we can measure how impactful the losses of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol will be.

Ibaka was arguably the hottest 3-and-D big on the market over the summer (he eventually signed with the LA Clippers) and even though Gasol is towards the latter end of his career, he’s still one of the best defensive bigs in the league and his experience and leadership will be missed in the locker room.

The Raptors will likely still be a playoff team, but their time as a true contender in the Eastern Conference may be over.