Toronto Raptors: 2018-19 NBA season preview

Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images
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Toronto Raptors
Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images

With a new superstar in town and LeBron James out of the East, here’s a look at what to expect from the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19.

The fresh scent of regular season basketball is now lingering upon us. Preseason ball has now come and gone, and teams are gearing up for a long, strenuous 82-game season. Meanwhile, across the border, the Toronto Raptors are fresh off yet another playoff exit to the hands of “LeBronto.”

This offseason, the team has gone through a series of dramatic identity changes. The departures of fan favorite DeMar DeRozan and Coach of the Year Dwane Casey were moves no one saw coming. The main centerpiece of these changes comes in the form of disgruntled superstar/former NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who got shipped off in a blockbuster trade revolving around him and DeRozan this summer.

Over the course of this presentation, we’ll analyze how the roster is taking form for this upcoming season, present various storylines to follow throughout the season, lay out the best- and worst-case scenarios for the team, and lastly, make some predictions as to what will happen by season’s end.

So, without further ado, let’s get into this.