The Raptors may be better with Kawhi Leonard back in the fold, but the latest forecast still says the East has gotten a lot tighter around them.
Bleacher Report’s “Final Win-Loss Record Predictions” slots Toronto at 48-37, which would be a two-win bump from last season. That sounds respectable until you look at the conference board: the Raptors are projected seventh in the East, sitting behind the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
On the surface, that feels like a step backward in standing despite the upgrade in talent. But the bigger story is the landscape around Toronto.
The East is loaded with more star power now, with the Heat getting Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James moving to Philadelphia, and the Indiana Pacers getting Tyrese Haliburton back from injury. On top of that, there should be fewer teams openly mailing it in, which means fewer easy nights on the schedule.
With the new lottery rules, only teams without control of their first-round picks can really afford to be anything less than at least semi-competitive.
That’s why a modest jump in wins for Toronto doesn’t feel all that surprising, even with Leonard back. The Raptors are clearly better with him on the roster, but Leonard’s availability hangs over any projection.
If he stays healthy, Toronto can absolutely reach a higher level. But the team could also choose to protect him during the regular season if that gives them a better shot at having him ready for the playoffs.
In other words, the Raptors’ ceiling still runs through Leonard. They have enough around him to stay solid, particularly on defense, even when he’s not on the floor, but they’ll need him to be a significant upgrade from last season if they want to beat this number.
And Toronto isn’t alone in dealing with that uncertainty. The East is packed with teams that come with the same kind of health-related question marks.
Tyrese Haliburton is coming off a devastating injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo played only 36 games last season.
LeBron James is 41 years old. Joel Embiid hasn’t topped 39 games since the 2022-23 season.
If those stars are available, their teams can push toward the top of the conference. If not, the path gets much murkier fast.
What does feel clear is that the East won’t offer many soft landings. Only the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are projected to be truly bad.
The Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, 76ers, Heat, Cavaliers, Raptors, Pacers, Magic, and Hawks are all chasing playoff spots, and at least two of them will end up disappointed. That number could climb if the Charlotte Hornets and/or Washington Wizards manage to surprise.
The conference that used to be labeled the weaker side of the league looks anything but weak now.
In Other News...
Raptors Just Sent A Strong Message About Nate Bittle
After trimming five players from the roster in the wake of their final preseason game, the Raptors made one of their clearest developmental statements by converting Nate Bittles Exhibit 10 deal into a two-way contract. Even with Bittle sidelined for the preseason because of injury, the move signaled that Toronto sees real value in the big man and wants to keep him in the fold as it builds out the back end of the roster.
For a team that could use more depth behind Jakob Poeltl, Bittle fits the kind of long-term project worth patience. His college track record and Summer League showing point to a player who can score around the rim and, at times, step out for a three, which gives Toronto a look at a developmental center with a more modern offensive profile. The injury kept him from taking part in the preseason, but the organizations decision suggests his runway with the Raptors is just getting started. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Still Have One Roster Debate Fans Should Be Watching
The Raptors search for a developmental roster addition comes with a familiar kind of intrigue, the sort that can turn an otherwise quiet part of the offseason into a real debate among fans. Bez Mbeng, Keba Keita, John Poulakidas and Milos Uzan all offer different traits that could appeal to Toronto, and each comes with the kind of raw upside teams like the Raptors tend to value when they are looking beyond the immediate rotation.
What makes the discussion interesting is how differently each player would need to be shaped once they got into the program. Some bring defensive tools, some offer shooting, and some profile as guards who could grow into more responsibility with time. For Toronto, the question is less about a finished product and more about which developmental bet fits best with the organizations approach, even if the answer is still very much unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Suddenly Face A Real De'Aaron Fox Fit Question
The Spurs push to rework their roster has created a question worth watching from a Raptors angle, especially with San Antonio weighing how its current pieces fit around a Finals-level core. Internally, the organization reportedly views Dylan Harper as its second-best player, a sign that the front office is already sorting out where the major priorities lie as it looks toward the bigger picture.
DeAaron Fox has naturally become part of that discussion, and Toronto has surfaced in speculation as a possible trade destination if San Antonio decides to reshuffle its backcourt. The rumored framework would send RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley the other way, but nothing has been finalized, which leaves the Raptors potential role in any Fox move very much in the realm of what-ifs for now. [Read more 🡒]