We take a closer look at Kawhi Leonard’s fantasy value this year as he transitions to a new role with the Toronto Raptors.
Where should the Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard go in fantasy drafts?
This has been one of the most hotly debated topics of the fantasy basketball off-season and the argument centers around three things:
- A concern about Leonard’s health. Kawhi played only eight games last season and has missed time throughout his career
- A change in teammates. Anytime a player this high switches teams, there is an inherent risk. The Toronto Raptors have a very different supporting cast than what Kawhi played with, in San Antonio.
- His potential usage rate. Will his rate decline now that he is with a pace-and-space offense?
Kawhi Leonard has proven to be healthy all summer both in training camp and in preseason action for the Toronto Raptors, and as such there should be no more concern about Kawhi Leonard’s health as it stands right now.
A setback free summer is the best anyone could have hoped for as far as Leonard’s fantasy prospects are concerned and should alleviate any trepidation fantasy owners may have had.
As far as his supporting cast is concerned it is true that this is the first time that Kawhi Leonard will be playing without a bonafide western conference level all-star beside him. However, the Toronto Raptors boast one of the deepest rosters in the entire NBA, and that should help Kawhi Leonard overcome any supporting cast concerns.
Furthermore, despite the presence of names like LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, and Tim Duncan, Kawhi has already operated as his team’s top offensive option.
Though he may be overlooked at times, guard Kyle Lowry is a four-time all-star. The Raptors also have talented big men Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas and Greg Monroe to go with burgeoning youngsters like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, both of whom the Raptors refused to include in any Kawhi Leonard trade talks.
As far as usage rate goes any Toronto Raptors fan knows that the Raptors are now a more of a pace and space offense as opposed to the isolation-heavy team they were in years past. With that said, however, Kawhi Leonard will remain the focal point of this offense and should threaten his career highs in every single category especially now that he is going up against Eastern conference competition.
Kawhi should make a seamless transition to the Toronto Raptors offense as according to NBA.com he dominated DeMar DeRozan in net rating (8.8 to 2.6), assist ratio (13.3 to 12.6), rebound percentage, true shooting percentage (61.0 to 55.2) and player impact estimate (17.4 to 15.5) despite a lower usage rate (30.5 to 33.6).
Where should you draft Kawhi Leonard?
I currently have him ranked as the number two shooting guard and the number three small forward while his expert consensus ranking via FantasyPros has him sitting at seventh and fifth respectively.
A healthy Kawhi Leonard is worth a first round investment as Leonard is sure to delight his fantasy owners with wild returns in the form of a career year from the pending free-agent swingman and MVP candidate.
Kawhi boasts one of the most fantasy-friendly games in the entire NBA as he is capable of averaging 25 plus points, two three-pointers per game, seven rebounds, four plus assists, two plus steals and a block per game with high percentages; in other words fantasy gold. Kawhi should push for top five head to head league value and top ten points league value in a wide open Raptors offense.