Raptors have top deal-maker ever in house: Masai Ujiri’s 5 best trades

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 20: A close up shot of the Toronto Raptors logo on their shorts during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 20, 2013 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 20: A close up shot of the Toronto Raptors logo on their shorts during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 20, 2013 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 2: Kawhi Leonard
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 2: Kawhi Leonard /

Dateline: July 18, 2018

This trade is the riskiest deal Masai has ever pulled off. I’ve ranked it as his best, even though we’ve not seen any results yet. If Leonard can be 90% of his pre-2017-18 season, the deal will be a huge success.

Masai is patient until he’s not, which might at first glance appear one of the stupider things I’ve ever written, but really isn’t. The 2017-18 post-season should have been the Raptors’ introduction to the brightest lights in the NBA universe, namely a trip to the Finals. Instead it resulted in Playoff Failure: Part Cinq. We didn’t like the show the first time, and neither did he.

Once Masai has made up his mind, he’s relentless. Bargnani had to go, and he did, likewise Rudy. In this case, the Old Guard of DeRozan and coach Dwane Casey had been given their opportunities. Steps were taken.

The most important element of this trade for me, beyond getting the best player in Kawhi, was the cost, or lack thereof. Our President didn’t give up two youthful studs, namely Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. Yes, it hurts to lose both the ultra-loyal and always-improving DeRozan, and the underrated Poeltl. Talent like Leonard (and Green – I’m not overlooking him) is rare and costly. We paid a fair price, not a crippling one.

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Over to you, Rapture Nation. Do I have all the best trades? Are they in the right order? Comments, please.