NBA 18/19: 3 Things that we have learned from the Toronto Raptors season so far

The Toronto Raptors topped the East standings last season with a record of 59-23, although the team was swept by LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Raptors reacted to this disappointment by making huge moves in the 2018 offseason, as the franchise looks to capture a first NBA Championship. The moves have paid off so far, as the team currently top the Eastern standings and have the best record in the entire NBA. So with a quarter of the season now passed, here are three talking points from the Raptors excellent start.

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#3 They need to keep Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has transformed the Raptors into the East's best team.

The Toronto Raptors pulled off one of the biggest deals of the offseason when they completed a trade for Kawhi Leonard. The small forward left the Spurs in controversial circumstances, as the player reportedly requested a trade after refusing to sign a max contract.

As soon as the Spurs became aware that the 27-year-old had no intention of extending his deal, the franchise chose to trade him while they could get assets in return. The Raptors had to give up DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first round draft pick to get the deal done, and it was a huge risk to trade away so much for a player who is essentially a one-year rental.

Despite coming off an injury struck season, Leonard has adapted seamlessly to his new team and is firmly in the MVP race. He is averaging 26.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and his form has been instrumental to his teams stunning start to the season.

The Raptors future ability to challenge for an NBA Championship looks as though it will depend on Leonard sticking around, so the team must do everything in their power to convince the 2014 NBA Finals MVP to stay next summer.

#2 Competition is not as tough as expected

The Boston Celtics were expected to be the best in the East

Despite the Raptors' addition of Kawhi Leonard, the Boston Celtics entered the season as the heavy favorites in the East. Nevertheless, the Celtics have disappointed so far this season, and have only picked up form recently after making a 10-10 start to the season.

There is no doubting that the Celtics have the most talented roster in the Conference, however, the team has suffered from having too many options, as Brad Stevens has struggled to get the most out of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, and Kyrie Irving.

Meanwhile, the Philadephia 76ers have managed to add Jimmy Butler, but the team has the opposite problem to the Celtics, as Philadelphia has no depth. The Raptors also faced the 76ers just a week ago, and the Raptors looked the far better team during a comfortable 113-102 win. Ultimately, the Raptors have nothing to fear in the East this season.

#1 The supporting cast has stepped up

Serge Ibaka is enjoying a fine season

The Raptors have for a long time been a two-star team. For years DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry were the All-Star pair in Canada, and DeRozan has now been replaced by Kawhi Leonard. Despite the duo Leonard and Lowry dominating ball usage in Toronto, the teams supporting cast has been a major contributing factor to their 22-7 record.

For the first time in his career, Pascal Siakam is regularly contributing double figures, and the player has also recorded a career-high 23 points this season. Fred Van Vleet is also continuing to develop into a reliable rotation player, while Serge Ibaka is enjoying his best season since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ibaka poured in another 25 points last night, and the power forward is quickly becoming the third star on the team. Ultimately, the Raptors can win without Leonard, and they look to be a major threat to the Warriors this season.