7. Toronto Raptors
I have the Toronto Raptors penciled in as the seventh-ranked team in the Eastern Conference but there’s a very real chance that they could end up being a top 5 team by the end of the season. The real x-factor for this team is Scottie Barnes.
He’s the player that the Raptors won’t trade for Kevin Durant and that decision will need to pay off. Barnes won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award last season and should be in line for another big season. He can do it all on the floor and is a great defender as well.
The Raptors are one of the deepest teams in the East and just need a superstar to lead the way for the team. If Barnes can be that player for the Raptors this season, they can be as good of a threat as any other team in the East.