{
  "id": 7556140,
  "title": "The Raptors are the best NBA team no one is talking about",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/the-raptors-are-the-best-nba-team-no-one-is-talking-about",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T12:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SB Nation",
    "slug": "sb-nation",
    "url": "https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1127001/toronto-raptors-nba-championship-odds-kawhi-leonard-trade-official"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Toronto Raptors, currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, are a team that many are overlooking despite having the potential to be the best NBA team this season. The odds given by FanDuel list them sixth at +950, which is considerably lower than the other top five teams. However, the Raptors have made significant improvements in the offseason, making them a serious contender for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.\n\nThe Raptors' offseason moves have been unique and strategic. They traded Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft capital for Kawhi Leonard, a two-time NBA champion, who is an upgrade on both ends of the floor. Leonard's addition brings a superior offensive player and a marginally better defender to the team. They also added Allen Graves, a highly promising 19th overall pick in the draft, who is a two-way impact player with elite offensive rebounding skills.\n\nThe Raptors have built upon their defensive strengths while also improving their offense. They have a relatively young roster with many players under 27 years old, and the addition of Graves, Jamal Shead, and Ja'Kobe Walter to the bench provides depth and young talent. The Raptors' starting lineup is still fairly new, but with the core players being under 27, the team has room for improvement and can survive the NBA season's rigors.\n\nWhile the Raptors have some risks, such as Leonard's health, they are not as risky as other teams favored over them. Teams like the Celtics, 76ers, and Cavaliers have glaring holes in their rosters, which could lead to upsets in the playoffs. The Raptors' unique approach in the offseason has made them a strong contender that many are missing from the conversation.",
  "summary": "Take a quick look at FanDuel’s listed odds for the Eastern Conference Champion and you’ll see the defending-champion New York Knicks there at +340. After them, you have the Philadelphia 76ers (+400), Boston Celtics (+500), Detroit Pistons (+850), and Cleveland Cavaliers (+900) rounding out the top five. However, there is one team missing from that […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}