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Toronto Raptors: Five questions ahead of training camp in September

By Justin Johnson

TORONTO, ON - JULY 20 - Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri talks to the media during a press conference about the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto. July 20, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 20 - Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri talks to the media during a press conference about the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto. July 20, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – AUGUST 23: NBA star Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio Spurs attends a fan meeting during his China tour at NBA Playzone on August 23, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – AUGUST 23: NBA star Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio Spurs attends a fan meeting during his China tour at NBA Playzone on August 23, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) /

How Do You Keep Kawhi Happy?

The top priority for The Raptors this year will be keeping Kawhi Leonard long-term. This task does not only have to involve the front office. There are ways for Nick Nurse to put Kawhi in a comfortable situation and they will surely discuss this during training camp.

Nick Nurse mentioned the meeting he had with Kawhi and how he told him that he could fit anywhere with the offense. The most common misconception since Kawhi was traded to Toronto was that he would have to carry a huge load as the #1 option.

Kyle Lowry is still an All-Star point guard capable of scoring 20 points. Kawhi will also be surrounded by shooters like Danny Green, C.J Miles, and OG Anunoby and gifted post scorers such as Valanciunas and Monroe.

Lowry’s ability to play off the ball gives him the opportunity to control the offense which he has done in San Antonio a few times. The reliable shooting and post scoring will allow him to create for others while also giving him the spacing to score.

Kawhi’s fit with the Raptors defensively should also be interesting. OG Anunoby, Delon Wright, Danny Green, and Pascal Siakam are all great perimeter defenders who can guard both wing positions. Kawhi Leonard, arguably the best defender in the league, will not have to guard the best player for the entire night.

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This will give him more time to rest or an easier defensive assignment. Nick Nurse will have multiple lineup combinations to look at during camp that will put Kawhi in the best position to succeed.

Training Camp starts September 25th in Vancouver, British Columbia for the 5th consecutive year.