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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Will Kawhi Leonard make the Toronto Raptors contenders?

By Kane Pitman

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 2, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 2, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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On the back of an outstanding regular season in 2017-18, the Raptors have made major changes, altering the landscape of the franchise leading into this season. After those moves, are they now ready to contend?

Year after year, the question was raised on how much longer the Toronto Raptors would be willing to run with the franchise duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. After four straight seasons of at least 48 wins, LeBron James finally broke the proverbial camel’s back and wholesale changes followed soon after.

With the Coach of the Year Dwane Casey gone, and likewise four-time All-Star DeRozan, it’s unequivocally a new era for these Raptors, though the aim remains the same. With the addition of MVP-caliber Kawhi Leonard, Toronto remains in the hunt for the Eastern Conference crown, particularly with arch nemesis LeBron out of the way.

With a couple of key pieces coming and going, let’s take a look at how the Raps rotation projects to shape out on the eve of a crucial season for the franchise north of the border.