Toronto Raptors: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Best-case scenario

With Powell, Anunoby and Ibaka, there is a chance Dwane Casey has his most dynamic trio to group with Lowry and DeRozan yet. That unit gives Toronto three switchy defenders, two (maybe three) capable shooters and plenty of athleticism.

With Wright in an increased role and Valanciunas in a reduced one (splitting the non-Ibaka center minutes with Poeltl and Nogueira), this could be a top-five defense.

The offense will be good as long as Lowry stays healthy and close to last year’s level. It could even get better, with Ibaka playing stretch 5 and Miles acting as an upgrade over Carroll or Ross.

If Casey plays his best guys and Toronto’s young players respond to major roles, this team can set a franchise record with 57 wins and control the East’s top seed.

Worst-case scenario

There is also a chance that neither Powell nor Anunoby is ready to be part of a dynamic two-way lineup. If not, the losses of Patterson and Carroll will be felt strongly, with one-way players such as Miles and Siakam filling the void. Other youngsters like Wright and Poeltl may not be ready for more minutes, either.

Lowry, DeRozan and Ibaka are all regression candidates. That is a problem, considering they are Toronto’s three best players. Should the group take a moderate step back, there will be more pressure on the Raptors’ bench to pick up the offensive slack.

That may be a task too tall. Last year’s No. 5 offense could slip to just outside the top 10, as could the defense with a thinner bench. This version of Toronto would still likely win 45 games, finishing sixth behind Cleveland, Boston, Washington, Milwaukee and Miami.