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Toronto Raptors make NBA Finals. How does that affect the Pistons?

By Martin Mansour

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 07: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defends against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on March 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. The Raptors defeat the Pistons 121-119. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 07: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defends against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on March 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. The Raptors defeat the Pistons 121-119. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors are going to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. How does that affect the Detroit Pistons moving forward?

The Toronto Raptors are the first team without LeBron James on the roster to make it out of the East in this current decade. Their first finals appearance in franchise history; carried by superstar player Kawhi Leonard.

The Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard during the 2017 off-season that sent DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a 2019 first round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Raptors took a huge gamble in this trade. Kawhi’s health was still up in question. And he’s also on an expiring contract; meaning he could very well be on a new team next season.

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It’s almost certain that Kawhi’s expectations with the Raptors is finals or bust. He delivered by defeating the likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo 4 games to 2. The Raptors were down 2-0 in the series. Kawhi turned up the intensity by helping the Raptors win 4 games in a row against the team with the best record in the NBA.

But how does Toronto’s Cinderella story affect the Detroit Pistons? Kawhi is going to head into free agency after the NBA Finals. His team is currently in the NBA Finals. It’s almost unlikely he leaves the Raptors knowing that he won it all or just fell short of winning it all against the Golden State Warriors.

If Kawhi and the Raptors fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bucks, Kawhi might have had an easier time deciding to choose a new team to play with; preferably a team out west.

There has been rumors throughout the season of Kawhi possibly joining the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James. Or potentially joining his favorite team growing up; the Los Angeles Clippers.

This could have potentially opened up a better opportunity for the Pistons to climb in the standings. The Raptors still have a good young core. But without Kawhi, that team would drastically fall in the standings.

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But with Kawhi in the finals, all you could do is congratulate him and the Toronto Raptors on such an amazing accomplishment!

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