2. Toronto Raptors
While they didn’t make any major headlines, the Toronto Raptors had one of the most underrated offseasons of any team in the league.
Despite having to hand over big annual sums to both Kyle Lowry ($33 million) and Serge Ibaka ($21 million), the Raptors addressed key needs while also wisely navigating the salary cap to avoid the dreaded luxury tax.
First, the team drafted Indiana’s OG Anunoby in the first round, one of the draft’s most dynamic players. If healthy, Anunoby will contribute in Toronto and give them another scoring option next to DeMar DeRozan and Lowry.
The Raptors’ next move was to reload the roster to beef up its offensive production to compete with the higher-scoring teams in the league, so they said goodbye to inconsequential role players like P.J. Tucker and Patrick Patterson then traded DeMarre Carroll to Brooklyn for Justin Hamilton, who they’re expected to waive. The kicker came with their last move, a deal for Indiana shooter C.J. Miles who gives the Raptors a much-needed 3-point shooting threat.
There’s little doubt that the Raptors found themselves at a crossroads at the end of last year. Yet again they were eliminated by the Cavaliers, this time in a sweep, and the roster seemed stale. What they have now is a far more balanced, dynamic roster that is capable of scoring points in bunches.
The addition of Miles, coming off of his best season from 3 (41 percent), will prove to be one of the most important signings of the offseason with his ability to provide a true 3-point threat further opening up space for DeRozan and Lowry. Additionally, the Raptors will hope to see guard Norm Powell take the next step (Powell appeared in 76 games last season) to complement the steady frontline of Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas.
While the Raptors may lack depth, their top seven is as good as any in the Eastern Conference.