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Toronto Raptors Roundtable: Kawhi Leonard expectations, Nick Nurse impact, and more

By Mike Bossetti

Toronto Raptors - Nick Nurse (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Nick Nurse (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard and Brooklyn Nets Treveon Graham (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What are your expectations for Kawhi Leonard this season?

Thomas Valentine:

It’s hard not to have high expectations for Kawhi. His 2016-17 season is a timely reminder that he is one of the best players in the game – when healthy. Even if he resurfaces as a top 20 player in his first season back, I think I’ll be happy.

You’re getting more defensive effort and ability than you did in previous seasons and another offensive outlet – a multi-dimensional one at that. Kawhi has the ability to go for thirty every night but I’ll lower my expectations and say he averages something in the low twenties.

I just want Toronto to have a fair shot at resigning Kawhi next summer and there’s no reason to doubt that possibility now. So let’s just enjoy it.

Brian Boake:

I won’t be satisfied unless Kawhi is being talked about as an MVP candidate by Game 60.  He shows no signs in pre-season of injury “hangover” or need for caution.  Nor is he moping about being in Toronto.

The players around him may not be comparable to his mates during his championship season with San Antonio in 2014, but they aren’t too shabby either.  He shouldn’t have any difficulty integrating into a roster with as many skilled veterans as the Raptors boast.

Leonard is physically in his prime at 27 years of age and coming off a season in which he hardly played.  He will be eager to show he’s fully recovered and worthy of a max deal next season.

Go Paolo:

I’m from the cautiously optimistic clan and believe Kawhi is still one of the NBA’s best two-way players. But a repeat of his 2016-17 season where he averaged career-highs in minutes (33.4), points (25.5), and assists is unlikely.

Tendinopathy is the type of injury that lingers and saps the spryness from any player, no matter how good. But even if he won’t be the same guy, he still has the same wits, wingspan, and savvy to keep his All-Star form.

My hope is to at least see the 2015-16 version of Kawhi where he averages 20 points and is in the top ten of the league in steals, defensive win shares, and defensive box plus-minus while shooting good percentages.

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