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

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 – Pascal Siakam (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

What type of move the Raptors should make

A starting five of Kyle Lowry, Green, Leonard, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol is among the best in the league. Fred VanVleet has gone from undrafted free agent to Sixth Man of the Year Candidate to playoff hero. Ibaka was a starter for most of last season and now is a strong two-way presence off the bench. Finally, OG Anunoby will be just 22 years old at the start of next season and has the potential to become a starter in this league.

The Raptors are one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Ujiri and his staff have done an outstanding job of finding overvalued players late in the draft and developing them.

But if the Raptors want to go from one of the favorites to the favorite, they should consider making a big splash this summer.

Their target: another All-Star scorer to pair alongside Leonard on the wing. Someone like Bradley Beal or Jrue Holiday would be ideal.

The Washington Wizards are in disarray. They don’t have a General Manager. Their star, John Wall, will likely miss all of next season because of a ruptured left Achilles tendon. It has been reported that the Wizards plan to offer Beal a three-year, $111 million contract extension. However, given the state of the franchise, Beal might not want to commit to the team long-term. The Wizards could trade Beal while his value is high and before he demands a trade. How long will it take before Beal decides he doesn’t want to waste his prime and leaves town?

As for Holiday, the Pelicans just traded Davis. They are set to rebuild around Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. Holiday just turned 29 last week and is in the middle of his prime. By the time the Pelicans’ young core is ready to compete for a title Holiday will be in his mid-30s. Holiday would be a good locker room presence, but doesn’t fit the Pelicans’ timeline.