With discussions between the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs starting to heat up, it seems DeMar DeRozan could be on his way out for Kawhi Leonard.
If you didn’t stay up late, you probably missed Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that Raptors and Spurs are in serious talks for a Kawhi/DeRozan deal.
The reports continue to build off momentum from stories earlier in the week, that a Kawhi Leonard trade was indeed possible.
Shams and Woj confirmed earlier suspicions that the deal is indeed involving Toronto star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.
San Antonio and Toronto are engaged in serious talks on a trade centered on Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 18, 2018
Toronto is close to a deal to acquire Spurs All-Star Kawhi Leonard, league sources tell @ChrisBHaynes and me. Trade package includes DeMar DeRozan, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2018
As Wojnarowski had reported before, Masai Ujiri feels that nobody on the team is untouchable. Possibly marking the end of Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and DeMar dynamic duo.
Notably, DeRozan makes approximately $7 million more than Leonard, meaning the Spurs would need to add somebody such as Danny Green or other roster filler to complete the trade. But the Raptors are likely going to have to give more than just DeRozan up for the Spurs to accept the deal.
The Raptors will be giving away two more years of DeMar for a one-year rental with Leonard. Along with Kawhi expressing his interest in going to his hometown Los Angeles, he also has no interest in playing for Toronto.
Kawhi Leonard has no desire to play in Toronto, league source tells ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 18, 2018
The Right Move for the North?
Is this rental for Kawhi worth it for the Toronto Raptors? For the most part: yes, it is.
The Toronto Raptors are essentially trading for a top-10, possibly a top-5 player in the NBA. One of the best defensive players, who isn’t isolation focused when it comes to offense. Pairing him alongside great playmakers in Lowry and Fred VanVleet.
Why not trade Kyle Lowry instead you ask?
Well, ignoring the fact Kyle Lowry has statistically been the most impactful player in the last couple of years. The Spurs have no interest in Kyle, which was proven in his free-agency decision. Lowry looked at San Antonio as a great destination to end up, however, they didn’t even want a conversation with Lowry so he ended up re-signing.
Simply put, the Raptors are upgrading from DeMar. Only some minor questions remain on how this could play out.
Is Kawhi going to be the same after his injury? Will the team still have one of the best chemistries in the league? Will Leonard even suit up for Toronto if he’s traded?
Next: Kawhi Leonard to Toronto Raptors gains momentum
For now, Raptors fans will be getting no sleep as they wait to see if any more news will be reported which could happen at any moment.