Raptors complete biggest trade since Vince’s departure – who won the deal?

Big gamble, low chance of return

The Raptors front office has taken the biggest risk in its history. And even if the deal works this season, our future is severely compromised.

I remember when Alzono Mourning decided he wouldn’t report to the Raptors as part of the deal for Vince Carter. Instead of taking advantage of that unexpected lifeline to bail on the trade (which had been scorched by every respectable commentator as a pitiful return for VC), Raptors GM Rob Babcock gave Mourning $ 10 million to go away. Is it deja vu all over again?

What happens if Leonard, who doesn’t want to come to Toronto at all, decides to follow through on his threat to sit out the year? In theory, Masai can rescind the trade on the grounds of player non-compliance. In practice, that won’t fly. DeMar is by all accounts furious about being lied to (his words, not mine). He supposedly was reassured by Raptors brass that he wouldn’t be moved this summer. I can’t see DeRozan saying “it’s fine – we’re cool” should the deal fall apart, and he be returned perforce to our roster.

What a mess.

The best case scenario is one season’s play from a reluctant Leonard, after which we won’t see him for dust. He seems obsessed with joining one of the Los Angeles teams, and since his 2019-20 contract year is a player option, he can hit the road next summer and leave us with nothing.

Masai, I love your belief that a year of a Canadian winter will cause the stubborn Leonard to fall in love with ice and snow. I just don’t think there’s much chance of it actually happening.

Notice I’ve yet to write about what contributions Leonard and Danny Green might make to the Raptors. I can’t, until Leonard actually agrees to join us.

However this sound and fury plays out, Masai has done enormous harm to the Raptors’ hopes of becoming a free-agent destination of choice. Players talk, and what they are saying about our team at the moment isn’t printable.