Anthony Davis trade rumors: Assessing the Toronto Raptors chances

The Toronto Raptors are still a longshot to land Anthony Davis. However, the rumblings are getting louder. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Toronto Raptors have already made their move this season. DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard was THE trade. Toronto made their catapult to actual contention, rather than the faux-finals contenders we watched the past three seasons. If they land Anthony Davis, they become the prohibitive favorites to reach the NBA finals.

An Anthony Davis trade is still a longshot at this time. Toronto is not on the shortlist of places Davis would likely re-sign, and other teams will make the market ultra-competitive. However, the Raptors do have enough assets to match most teams, and Anthony Davis is the type of player you give up assets for, even with no promises.

Who’s the favorite?

The Toronto Raptors aren’t quite the betting favorites to land Kawhi Leonard. However, according to BetOnline, they are in the running. The online gambling site currently has the Raptors with +300 odds to land the New Orleans superstar prior to the 2019-2020 season, giving them approximately a 25-percent chance.

A couple of factors to quell your excitement.

1. +300 is not a great number. A 25-percent chance is the value given to the public. When you account for the house’s cut, it’s probably closer to 10-percent.
2. The odds are for the 2019-2020 season. It’s possible, although unlikely, that Toronto would make their hypothetical move this offseason.
3. Two teams rank ahead of the Raptors. Realistically, the Raptors probably rank 4th or 5th in the race to acquire AD.

Who’s (hypothetically) leaving

The trade starts with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and salary filler. If New Orleans has their eye on someone else reasonable, they can have him too. Without a first rounder to trade this year, Toronto will need to involve at least 2021 and possibly 2023. Protections will also be an important part of negotiations.

Logistically, the salary filler will need to include either Jonas Valanciunas or Serge Ibaka. Toronto will fight hard to include Valanciunas rather than Serge, however, the Pelicans hold all the cards here.

What’s the backup plan

With Kawhi and AD, Toronto becomes the favorite outside of the Bay Area. However, if they aren’t able to accomplish their goals — or if they do and Kawhi Leonard leaves anyways — Davis will likely be flipped again.

Toronto will still be able to find value around the league for Davis. Boston and L.A. will fight for Davis’ Bird Rights, the ability to offer a larger contract, and most importantly, a full season of Davis.

Toronto won’t get back the same return the sent out, but they’d still have something to start the rebuild if Kawhi walks, a rebuild they would likely need to undertake anyways.

Again, any deal for Davis is still a longshot at this point. However, Kawhi Leonard was a longshot at one point too. Be excited Raptor fans. KG VOICE: “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!”