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New York Knicks: Predicting The Atlantic Division

By Chris Priczak

Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) makes a move against Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) makes a move against Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

Last season, the Toronto Raptors finished with a 56-26 record and finished at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference. In the process, the Raptors won their third straight division title.

While it would be satisfying to see the Raptors win another division title, that will not be the case next season. The division champion will be residing in Massachusetts.

While the Raptors have a good backcourt in DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, the team lost depth in their frontcourt.

When Jonas Valanciunas missed eight straight games in the 2016 playoffs, Bismack Biyombo had eight productive games. In those eight games, Biyombo posted two double-doubles.

In addition, he picked up at least 10 rebounds in five of those games, which includes an outing in which he pulled down 26 rebounds in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals.

While he isn’t known for his offense, he can be a quality defender. Unfortunately, he’s moved to Orlando, where the 6’9″ center will give the Magic a rim protecter.

Valanciunas is entering the first year of a contract he signed last season. The contract is for four years and will pay him $64 million with an opt-out after the third year.

The writing was on the wall that Biyombo was going to leave via free agency. The Raptors needed cap space to keep DeRozan. Ultimately, the Raptors guard received a five-year, $145 million extension.

By giving DeRozan a deal of that nature, the team let their backup center go, which made sense. With Biyombo now with the Magic, the team drafted Jakob Poeltl with ninth pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Next: Boston Celtics

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