The Boston Celtics will have plenty of work to do to win another title next season, even if they enter the 2024-25 campaign as the favorites to win it all. The top of the East looks ready to give Boston a real challenge when the playoffs roll around, but the rest of the conference will certainly be vying for a shot at the defending champs as well.
We’ve been ranking the teams most likely to give Boston the most trouble next season. We’re past the clubs that are clearly going to end up at the bottom of the standings, and have reached a more dynamic portion of our hierarchy. In theory, if your ceiling is projected to be as a play-in team, you shouldn’t be among the biggest foes for the Celtics. In recent years, a few groups have reached the conference finals or beyond from that position. As such, the No. 8 team on our list, the Toronto Raptors, deserve a healthy bit of respect from Boston and the other bona fide contenders in the East.
Here’s what you need to know about Toronto heading into next season.