Toronto Raptors: How the Kawhi Leonard trade impacts every player

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 15: Serge Ibaka #9 and OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors react during game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 15, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)v /

OG Anunoby: Provides a valuable mentor

If someone molded the perfect player for OG Anunoby to model his game after, that player would look exactly like Kawhi Leonard. Early in his career, Kawhi was a defensive minded small forward who was extremely efficient offensively, albeit at a low-volume. Sound familiar?

Of course it’s unreasonable to expect a similar amount of growth from OG Anunoby. Leonard is a top-five player in the NBA and his growth from his rookie season is an extreme outlier. If Anunoby provides 80-percent of the production of peak Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors will consider it a win.

With Leonard in the same building every day, OG has the opportunity to watch Kawhi’s legendary work-ethic and perhaps add a few of the same wrinkles to his game.

Serge Ibaka: Provides a chance to play meaningful minutes at center

The NBA is changing. Players across the league who were once considered power forwards, or even small forwards, are now playing legitimate minutes at center.

Yet, last season Serge Ibaka spent only 13-percent of his minutes at center, less than his career average.

With Jakob Poeltl gone, Ibaka will once again spend significant time at center. He currently projects as the back-up center behind Jonas Valanciunas, who only played 22 minutes per game last season.

The change should help Ibaka on both ends.

Offensively, Ibaka can force centers to play outside of their comfort zone. With a true threat pick-and-pop, Toronto will have the ability to play the five-out style that has haunted them in the playoffs for so many years.

Defensively, Ibaka will be able to return where he is most comfortable, around the rim. Over the years Ibaka’s block rate has fallen off a cliff, partially due to his declining athleticism, partially due to his location defensively.

As power forward’s have improved as shooters, Ibaka has drifted farther from the paint, mitigating his impact. At center, Ibaka will have a greater opportunity as a rim-protector and overall defender.

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