Fansided

NBA post-free agency power rankings

By Brendon Kleen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: A fan looks at his phone, prior to the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: A fan looks at his phone, prior to the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

5. Toronto Raptors

If you had asked the Raptors in 2015, on the brink of the franchise’s first 50-win season, whether they would be happy winning at least 50 games the next three years but falling to LeBron James in the playoffs, with the promise of a Finals berth the year James left the conference, I think they would have contentedly accepted your offer.

Nothing is locked in for this year’s East playoffs, with four or five teams relatively equal and no superstar near James’ level in the mix to rise above the rest. But the Raptors, keepers of a quietly solid core of young players, are in position to compete for a chance at the Finals.

Obviously, their chances took a leap with the reported and impending deal that will send DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. It remains to be seen how healthy Kawhi is but, on paper, he’s a huge upgrade. In addition, we’ll have to see what else Toronto has to give up to make this deal happen.

Shockingly, this may now represent Toronto’s best shot at the Finals. Really.

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