How the Raptors winning the NBA Finals affects the Detroit Pistons

The Toronto Raptors have won their first NBA Finals in franchise history! How does this affect the Detroit Pistons next season?

The Toronto Raptors did it! They finished their spectacular playoff run by beating the beat-up Golden State Warriors in 6 games; winning their first NBA Championship in their first Finals appearance.

The man behind the team’s success? Kawhi Leonard. The Toronto Raptors took a huge gamble in the 2018 off-season. After continually losing in the playoffs to the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers and superstar LeBron James, the Raptors front office had to make a move.

Their two main players Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan weren’t getting the job done. And even with LeBron moving out west, they knew that they needed a superstar to win big games. So the opportunity opened up.

Kawhi Leonard did not want to play with the Spurs any longer. He missed over 80 percent of the games due to injury and complications with him and the front office. It was heavily rumored that Kawhi wanted to play for a Los Angeles team. But the Spurs refused to give in on Kawhi’s trade demand to Los Angeles.

So they shipped him and Danny Green out of the country to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a first round pick. This was a blockbuster move by the Raptors. And this upset many Toronto fans who loved DeMar DeRozan.

But it all payed off. Even after finishing second in the east behind the Milwaukee Bucks, the Raptors took care of the Bucks in 6 games in the eastern conference finals. And eventually defeating the Warriors.

How does this affect the Detroit Pistons though?

Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green staying in Toronto?

The Toronto Raptors took a huge risk trading for Kawhi Leonard. His demand of wanting to play in Los Angeles was high. And he could have very well left Toronto after the playoffs ended.

If the Raptors fell short against the Bucks or even the Warriors, Kawhi could have been out the door. With no promise to get better, there would have been huge doubt that Kawhi would have stayed in Toronto.

But the Raptors won it all. Even though it was against a depleted Warriors team, it was still an amazing accomplishment. And it was Kawhi’s second championship win in his career. With all the love Toronto has given him, it’s hard to see Kawhi leaving in free agency. Which means the Pistons will be seeing more of Kawhi in the future.

And it’s also hard to see Danny Green leaving Toronto. He has thrived their next to his buddy Kawhi. This affects the Pistons because they might have thought of trying to lure him to Detroit in free agency. But that’s surely out of the question now. Danny Green has found himself a new home in Toronto.

Motivation for the Pistons players?

After a first round playoff sweep loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pistons know that they have to get better. But what if I told you that the Toronto Raptors winning an NBA Championship could motivate the Pistons players?

The taste of winning feels absolutely wonderful. But when you see a team in your own conference win for the first time, it should motivate them to get better to get on that same level.

Andre Drummond has been with the Pistons for 7 seasons. And with only two playoff appearances and zero playoff wins, he’d like to start winning pretty soon. The only way the Pistons win games is if they improve on their game.

Andre Drummond is only 25 with still high potential. Luke Kennard showed his value during the playoffs against the Bucks. Blake Griffin will be healthy again next season. Reggie Jackson had a career year shooting the basketball and could improve upon that. And Bruce Brown has loads of potential to improve his game.

All it takes is one player to be motivated for the rest to feel the same way. A team development during the off-season could take the team to the next level.