25 Sep 2018 15:15:42
If Butler goes to Raptors..
East Finals will be: Celtics vs Raptors..

1.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 16:53:36
I think that's probably what it is anyway. Phili might step in, but right now those two are the two best teams in the east going into the season.

2.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 17:37:32
Celtics
Pacers
Raptors
Sixers
Bucks
Wizards
Heat
Pistons
Bulls
Hornets
Nets
Cavs
Magic
Knicks

*Jimmy Butler would move the heat into the top 3, sixers in the top 2.

3.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 18:00:02
Bold outlook on the Pacers Btec. They're definitely top 4 to me. I do hope that's how it goes, I really like the Pacers team. The top 4 should be pretty interesting with Boston, Indy, and Phili's youth and Toronto's big move. I think there will be a huge gap to 5 after that.

4.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 18:48:01
Agreed Bmiller, I think 2 is a little bullish for Indy, but top 4 is very realistic. There is definitely a drop off between that top 4 and the rest.

Raps do have the assets to make a deal for Butler, whether Minny wants current or future assets. With three good PG’s, Lowry can be the current star, or one of Fred/ Delon could be the future. Adding Miles, or OG would work as well.

I could see any number of combinations, and even potentially including the Kings to make it happen.

5.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 19:54:14
I agree @triangle that the raps do have the right pieces in a value sense to land butler or at least be a finalist in offers made. Powell is a good young piece too. Tough break getting injured and OG tearing it up in his absence. Dealing their youth, and picks then butler and Leonard leave next summer? Bold. Give kudos to ujiri for going all in though. Butler going to the east is good for league balance too.

6.) 29 Sep 2018
29 Sep 2018 14:53:16
As a Celtics fan, I might be as scared of the Bucks as anyone in the East.
Toronto should be good if Leonard comes back healthy, but swapping him for DeRozan is not a HUGE upgrade. It's a star for a bigger star, but who knows how it will fit.
Philly is still young, and I can see them going in just about any direction. they could see injuries to Embiid while Fultz' yips and Simmons' shooting woes continue, or they could all wind up being the best versions of themselves and be fantastic.
Indy is just a solid team to me, and they did it all with Turner being just OK. If he breaks out like he's capable, they could really ruin some team's season come playoff time.
The Bucks on the other hand have a bonafide superstar. The closest thing anyone has to him is Leonard, and we don't know how he will come back yet. Middleton is a really good scorer, but too much was put on him last year because they didn't have many great shooters. That's where I think DiVincenzo will make a difference. He probably won't do too much early on, but I could see him earning himself some serious playing time by the playoffs, and his spacing of the floor will make things a lot easier on Giannis and Bledsoe/ Brogdon to slash to the basket. The addition of Lopez (who can actually shoot now) and a possible breakout of Maker in the Celtics series last year make them a really interesting team to watch.