With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Toronto Raptors
Conference: Eastern
Wins O/U: 45.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Last Year’s Record: 58-24
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): O. Anunoby*, C. Boucher, M. Gasol*, D. Hernandez, R. Hollis-Jefferson, S. Ibaka, S. Johnson, K. Lowry*, P. McCaw, M. Miller, C. Payne, N. Powell, D. Robinson, P. Siakam*, F. Van Vleet*
Key Offseason Moves: Lost K. Leonard, Lost D. Green, Signed S. Johnson, Signed R. Hollis-Jefferson
Overall Summary: The defending champions will be one of the most enigmatic teams in the league, having won the championship and becoming heroes of Canada, but also losing two main contributors from that team in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The two decamped to the two Los Angeles franchises, and left the Raps with more questions than answers. Luckily, the Raptors still have old stalwarts Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol to play the 1 and the 5. They also have last year’s Most Improved Player, Pascal Siakam, who looked like their second best player in the finals. He seems primed for a leap this year, and in a depleted East, I find it hard to believe he won’t make his All-Star debut. OG Anunoby had a down season, with both injury and personal issues, but the Raptors remain high on his potential to be a game-breaking defender. They still have the core bench unit that played well throughout their playoff run, and playoff hero Fred Van Vleet will potentially take Green’s spot in the starting lineup, adding an ace shooter to the Raptors main unit.
Verdict: This line feels really low – bet the over. While they did lose Kawhi, who may be the best player in the game, they still have a lot of the core that led to last year’s dream season. I expect Siakam to become a star this year, and Lowry and Gasol will not let the Raptors fall too far. I project a record of 49-33.
