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How Detroit Pistons’ offseason compares to the Eastern Conference elite

By Jon Young

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons after winning the game against the Houston Rockets on November 23, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons after winning the game against the Houston Rockets on November 23, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 5: Danny Green #14 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 5: Danny Green #14 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Loss of Leonard shifts Eastern Conference balance

Key Losses: Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green

Key Additions: Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

This one is pretty obvious. The Raptors shocked the league last year and rode a historic postseason from Kawhi Leonard to the franchise’s first NBA Championship.

Now Leonard is in Los Angeles after signing with the Clippers, providing balance across the NBA and eliminating superteams in the interim. He paired up with Paul George and formed a championship contender with a strong defensive unit.

Related Story. How Kawhi Leonard's decision impacts the Pistons. light

I still think Toronto will be competitive, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see them move a few veterans (Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka) and start a small rebuild around Pascal Siakam. Either way, they have a strong enough core to be a playoff team, but they are no longer considered a top tier team in the East.

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