NBA 2018-19: 3 Top performers for the Toronto Raptors this season

The Toronto Raptors have been red hot this season. They are off to the best start in the NBA right now sitting atop the standings with an outstanding 17-4 record.

During the off season the Raptors made the biggest trade move. They traded away their All-Star DeMar DeRozan for the superstar Kawhi Leonard. Raptors finished at the top of the Eastern Conference standings last season but ran into LeBron James in the playoffs and got swept in the Eastern Conference semis.

This season, they got Kawhi Leonard in an attempt to win the East which is without LeBron for the first time since he got drafted. The Raptors have looked great in this early part of the season and amid the struggles of the Boston Celtics, the Raptors look like the favorite to emerge from the East. They are in the best position to challenge the Golden State Warriors.

The Raptors have got strong performances from a lot of their players. Let's have a look at the top 3 performers for them during the course of this season.

#3 Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam was drafted as the number 27th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 2016 NBA draft. This season he is really playing with huge confidence and finally living up to his potential.

The 24 year old lanky forward from Cameroon has started in almost all the matches for the Raptors and has become a complimentary piece for them. Siakam has been averaging 14.3 PPG, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists on an amazing 63% shooting from the field. He has even improved his game from beyond the arc shooting 33% from the 3PT line.

His strong displays even earned him the Eastern Conference Player of the Week nod. Siakam's development will be vital for the Raptors this season.

#2 Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry is having another All-Star season

The All-Star point guard for the Toronto Raptors is having another unbelievable season. Kyle Lowry leads the Raptors in win-shares for the season and has continued being lethal for the franchise.

Lowry has been averaging 15.6 PPG, 4.3 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game for the season on 46.3% shooting from the field. He leads the league in assists and has been dishing out 10+ assists for the Raptors in various matches.

Kyle Lowry is one of the best point guards in the league right now. He has taken over the mantle for the Raptors and has taken on added responsibilities when Kawhi Leonard has been rested for matches.

The consistency of Raptors can be linked to the consistent displays of Lowry. He is well capable of making clutch shots and has also shown great defensive intensity. He is never afraid of putting his body on the line to take a charge. The Raptors will be relying on Lowry to take them deep this season.

#1 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has been shining for the Raptors

Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Raptors after he expressed his dissatisfaction playing for the San Antonio Spurs. The two times Defensive Player of the Year has been showcasing his talents for the Raptors.

Kawhi Leonard has been averaging team high 24.2 PPG to go along with his 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the season. Despite being the best defensive player in the world, he has grown his offensive game to an elite level. He is the most important player for the Raptors and the gamble that they took by trading their franchise player DeRozan seems to be paying off.

Kawhi Leonard on the back of his elite displays has become one of the lead front runners for the MVP award. He already has a finals MVP award to his name. If Kawhi continues his dominant displays for the Raptors, they will be a tough team to beat.