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Do the Toronto Raptors need to make a significant move if Kawhi Leonard re-signs?

By Mark Birdsell

Toronto Raptors, Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors, Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

How the rest of the league stacks up

The first domino has already fallen. The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. This move gives the Lakers two of seven best players in the league in Davis and James.

Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are expected to miss most, if not all, of next season. The Western Conference is now wide open. Depending on how the Lakers fill out the rest of their roster, they could be serious title contenders.

Even with the acquisition of Davis, there will still be questions surrounding the Lakers. Depending on when the trade is finalized, the Lakers will have anywhere between $23.7 million and $32.5 million in cap space.

If the Lakers opt to sign another max level player, the roster will be top heavy. The Raptors just showed the importance depth plays in making a title run. Once Durant and Thompson went down with injuries, the Warriors didn’t have enough talent left on the roster to combat the Raptors’ depth.

The other major storylines for the Raptors to monitor are what happens with the Celtics, Bucks, and 76ers. Not only did the Celtics miss out on Davis, but it has been reported that Kyrie Irving is expected to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. It remains to be seen what will happen with Al Horford, who declined his player option for next season.

The Bucks emerged as a serious contender this past season. But a number of key players (Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Brook Lopez, and Nikola Mirotic) will be free agents this summer. George Hill’s $18 million contract is only partially guaranteed. Hill may turn out to be a luxury the Bucks can’t afford, unless he comes back on a smaller deal.

As for the 76ers, they gave up a lot in order to acquire Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Both will be free agents this summer and both want a max contract. JJ Redick is also a free agent. If all three return, the 76ers will remain one of the best in the Eastern Conference. If not, Elton Brand traded in all of Sam Hinkie’s hard work for a second-round loss to the Raptors.

Free agency hasn’t even started and no one can predict how this summer will play out. Even if the Raptors don’t make any changes, they have to be considered one of the favorites to win the title next season.

But they’ll need to make a move to become THE favorite next season.