OK folks! Although I suppose we'll make updates if there's big injury news before the opening tip, here are our just-about-final RAPTOR NBA projections for your record-keeping purposes. 53eig.ht/2YZs4ec 
As we've filled out depth charts and monitored injury news, a relatively clear championship top tier has emerged: the HOU and LAC in the West, and MIL and PHI in the East.
DEN and UTA are also right up there in regular season W-L, but not in terms of their championship odds.
DEN and UTA are also right up there in regular season W-L, but not in terms of their championship odds.
RAPTOR is skeptical of the Lakers. It thinks LeBron has aged, and it doesn't like their depth. With that said, they're a tough out in the playoffs if they make it intact.
GSW has fallen as it's become clear how poor the back half of the rotation will be + the Klay injury news.
GSW has fallen as it's become clear how poor the back half of the rotation will be + the Klay injury news.
POR looks like they have a really disappointing projection (42-40). But it's because RAPTOR really likes/liked Nurkic—who's out until the second half of the year—and it doesn't like their depth. If they make it to the playoffs, with Nurk back, they'd also be pretty dangerous.
Other teams RAPTOR likes better than Vegas:
OKC: Nervous about this one since they might trade/tank.
MIN: Thinks a lot of their underachieving young players may finally achieve.
PHX: 😬 Less about Booker/Ayton than having a competent rotation as they shift out of tank mode.
OKC: Nervous about this one since they might trade/tank.
MIN: Thinks a lot of their underachieving young players may finally achieve.
PHX: 😬 Less about Booker/Ayton than having a competent rotation as they shift out of tank mode.
Other teams RAPTOR likes less than Vegas:
SAS: Possibly underrating Pop/the system.
BRK: Likes their backcourt but hates their frontcourt.
NYK: Really dislikes their veteran signings, and likes the kids (e.g. Barrett) OK, but thinks they'll take a while to develop.
SAS: Possibly underrating Pop/the system.
BRK: Likes their backcourt but hates their frontcourt.
NYK: Really dislikes their veteran signings, and likes the kids (e.g. Barrett) OK, but thinks they'll take a while to develop.
One last thought: there were a LOT of teams that were tanking last year or otherwise employing really bad rotations. Fewer of those this year, especially out West, which knocks a win or 2 off of everyone's totals.
