Raptors just middle of the pack in one publication's future power rankings
Rankings are admittedly a form of clickbait for the most part, especially in the final days of a barren news cycle as we lead up to the beginning of an NBA season.
But some of them are more interesting than others.
The folks at ESPN put together a future power rankings of sorts, where they attempt to rank teams based on where they project them to be over the next three years. And despite the moves the Raptors made to improve their defense in advance of the upcoming season, they landed at just 16th on the 30-team list.
The disclaimer "for entertainment purposes only" has never applied to anything as much as it does to something like this, where we're attempting to look at what could possibly take place with trades, free agency and injuries over three long NBA seasons.
Take it for what it is, but realize when looking at the futures of every team in the league, the one in Toronto only appears to be minimally bright.
(h/t: Raptors HQ)
After getting swept out of the playoffs last spring, the Raptors overhauled their roster this summer. If that doesn't work, bigger changes could be ahead.
Toronto's defense collapsed last season, dropping from ninth to 23rd on a per-possession basis. To rectify that, the Raptors upgraded their perimeter D with free agents Cory Joseph and DeMarre Carroll replacing liabilities Greivis Vasquez and Lou Williams. However, Toronto also lost stalwart (and ESPN real plus-minus favorite) Amir Johnson.
If the Raptors struggle again, coach Dwane Casey could be the scapegoat. And GM Masai Ujiri has the chance to rebuild the roster again next summer, when Toronto could have max-level cap space if 2014 All-Star DeMar DeRozan opts out of his contract. The Raptors also have a good shot at a top five pick: They get the worse of the picks belonging to Denver and New York from the Andrea Bargnani trade.
