Do the Toronto Raptors need to make a significant move if Kawhi Leonard re-signs?
The cost of acquiring a co-star
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that the Wizards won’t even consider moving Beal unless the offers are overwhelming. It remains to be seen what will happen with Holiday. It took three former first-round picks, two future firsts and a pick-swap to get Anthony Davis. Davis is a six-time All-Star and three time All-NBA First Team member. Anyone the Raptors are likely to acquire won’t be on the same level as Davis, but whoever it is will still cost a lot.
Assuming Siakam is untouchable, the Raptors have a number of assets that could be packaged together. The Raptors don’t have a first-round pick this year. But they own all of their first rounders moving forward. Outside of Siakam, Anunoby is the most promising young player on the Raptors’ roster. Some combination of Ibaka’s expiring contract, VanVleet and Norman Powell would be required for salary matching purposes.
Assuming Leonard returns, teams will prefer future picks starting in 2022 and beyond. The Raptors’ 2020 and 2021 selections won’t be as valuable because they should fall in the 20s. Any 2022 pick will hold a significant level of intrigue. 2022 is projected to be the first year that high school players are allowed to enter the draft, which should make it one of the deepest drafts in recent history.
A trade package of Anunoby, Ibaka and two future first-round picks should be enticing enough for a rebuilding team to bite. By making a trade, the Raptors would lose some of their depth, but they would substantially improve their overall talent.
Acquiring a player like Beal or Holiday, along with Leonard and Siakam, would give the Raptors three All-Star level players in their prime. Lowry and Gasol are on the wrong side of 30. Their contracts come off the books next season. But making another win now trade would ensure that the Raptors’ championship window stays open longer. It also further proves to Leonard that this team is serious about being a contender for years to come.
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After everything that has happened this season, the Raptors shouldn’t have to do anything else to convince Leonard to re-sign. However, if the Raptors are able to acquire a player as talented as Beal it would make their pitch all the more compelling.
Stats were provided by ESPN and Basketball Reference.