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NBA Bubble Power Rankings Week 3: Toronto Raptors on the rise

By Corey Rausch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: A view of ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex during a lightning storm following a game between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks at The Field House on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: A view of ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex during a lightning storm following a game between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks at The Field House on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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NBA bubble, power rankings, Toronto Raptors
NBA bubble, power rankings, Toronto Raptors (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

20. team. 84. . 31-41. Previous: 21st. Sacramento Kings

Last Week: Lost to the Houston Rockets 129-112, Beat the New Orleans Pelicans 112-106, Beat the Los Angeles Lakers 136-122

The Sacramento Kings have to be upset that they did not play the Pelicans in every game in the bubble. If they had they may have had a better chance of staying in the playoff race. Give the team credit, even after being eliminated from the race they still took down two wins, showing they have professional pride.

Even before the season was over for the Kings trade rumors were already starting. This team thought they were building on a fun season last year. The fact that they saw other young teams pass them by is alarming at best. It is unlikely that they look at this roster and decide to run it back with a similar makeup next season.

Buddy Hield is the most likely trade piece. He is set to start his extension next season, jumping up from a cap hit of $4.9 million to $24.9 million. The fun rumor of the week is that they could be interested in a swap of Hield for Al Horford. This could make both teams better but it all still remains to be seen.

This was a disappointing season for the Kings but the bubble was not all bad for them. De’Aaron Fox has star potential and was finally able to show that off to a wider audience with all eyes on the stage of the restart. The best news that Kings fans have heard in years came on Friday when Vlade Divac stepped down. While Joe Dumars petered out at the end of his run with the Detroit Pistons, this is still a step in the right direction for a franchise that takes very few.

. 32-39. Previous: 16th. San Antonio Spurs. 19. team. 29

Last Week: Beat the New Orleans Pelicans 122-113, Beat the Houston Rockets 123-105, Lost to the Utah Jazz 118-112.

The San Antonio Spurs run has finally come to an end. Despite Gregg Popovich playing games with the media that it is not over and the Spurs did not get enough credit for it either way, the run was impressive but all good things must come to an end.

Related Story. 25 best players to play for the San Antonio Spurs. light

The future is more unclear for the Spurs. They have two former All-Stars on expiring contracts who are not likely in the future plans for the team. Even Popovich’s future with the team is uncertain at this point. For a man nearing 72 by the time the next season begins with nothing left to accomplish every season at this point is more than Spurs fans can ask for.

The young guards were good and gave hope for whatever the team decides to build in the future. They are still one of the smartest run franchises in the league. Knowing their luck they will win the lottery next week, as they did the last time they missed the playoffs. Anything like that will accelerate any sort of rebuild they are planning.

Their time in the bubble is done. They got closer than many would have expected given the absence of their best player, LaMarcus Aldridge. They finally have a chance to zag into a rebuild while the rest of the West is looking to make the playoffs next season. What a run.