Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard famously led the Toronto Raptors to an unexpected championship in 2019 during his only season with the team. Soon after, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, and neither franchise has really come close to that same level of achievement since.
Initially, the thought of Leonard making a comeback to Toronto felt unlikely, though the NBA often surprises us. Now, after six years since their memorable Championship victory, Kawhi has rejoined the Raptors.
Toronto acquired him from the Clippers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Grady Dick, two first-round picks, a trade pick, and two second-round picks. Details may still emerge, but this information was reported by Shams Charania.
The Raptors are optimistic about competing for the Eastern Division title with Leonard back in the fold. On the other hand, the Clippers are in a rebuilding phase. Let’s break down how this trade plays out for both teams.
Raptors’ Perspective on Kawhi Leonard’s Contract
Last season, the Raptors managed a playoff return after struggling for three years, even pushing the eventual conference finalists, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to a seven-game first round. Thriving mainly on defense, they secured 46 wins, while their offensive performance was more middle-of-the-pack. To improve in the upcoming season, enhancing their offense without compromising their strong defense was crucial—and acquiring Leonard certainly helps in this area.
If he can maintain his health, Kawhi addresses many of Toronto’s critical issues. He can create shots in half-court settings, shoot from beyond the arc, and provide another elite wing defender. At age 34, he had one of his best seasons, scoring an impressive 43.3 points per 100 possessions. In fact, he finished fifth in the league according to various advanced metrics.
It’s no secret that Kawhi excels when he’s on the court. He’s a versatile scorer, is careful with the ball, rebounds effectively, and poses a significant defensive threat. Remarkably, Toronto was able to bring him back without losing crucial assets.
Ingram had a solid season but carries a hefty $82 million contract over the next two years, which isn’t exactly enticing for the Clippers. Losing Dick is also a concern. This boils down to the Raptors giving up two future first-round picks along with a pick swap. Some might argue this puts them in a tough position, risking their future for a shot at the championship with Kawhi. Yet, just how valuable he remains hinges on his ability to stay healthy. Still, it’s surprising that Toronto had to part with more future draft capital for Kawhi this time compared to what they gave up back in 2018.
One looming concern for the Raptors is Kawhi’s upcoming contract extension. At 35 years old and with a history of health troubles before last season, it’s a valid question. But looking at this trade in isolation, it feels like a win for Toronto. It’s unclear why other teams didn’t try to get involved in this bidding.
Clippers’ Take on Kawhi Leonard’s Contract
It makes sense that the Clippers opted not to extend Kawhi’s contract, making the decision to trade him somewhat straightforward. Given his impressive season, his value is probably at its peak right now. However, it’s debatable whether the Clippers made the most of this opportunity.
Leonard’s trade request seemed a bit discouraging, especially since he indicated he only wanted to sign an extension with the Raptors or Spurs. My view is that he’s such an exceptional player that other teams should have made an effort to acquire him. His past success as a loaned player leading a championship team speaks volumes. It’s fortunate he’s made clear he wouldn’t rush into an extension, even if injuries persisted. Teams like Denver, Boston, Detroit, and Philadelphia should’ve considered placing their bids; the Raptors’ offer doesn’t appear to be overwhelmingly attractive.
It might turn out that the Clippers will let Ingram go during the trade deadline or when his contract ends next summer. The real wins here are the two first-round picks, with a nice bonus of a future pick swap as well.
The future of the Clippers now hinges on No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler and Darius Garland serving as co-stars as they work on building for the future. There’s much to be done in Los Angeles, but moving away from the Kawhi situation seems wise, especially if the team couldn’t compete for a title with him. Overall, they seem to have come out ahead in this trade.
