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Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard’s request could help the Raptors

By Jason Mills

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers receives his Championship Ring before the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 11, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers receives his Championship Ring before the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 11, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Roster balance and team chemistry

Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

A trade transaction between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers would create a roster balance for the Toronto Raptors and better team chemistry for the Los Angeles Clippers. First, the Toronto Raptors would be committing too much money to the point guard position if they re-sign Fred VanVleet with Kyle Lowry already on the roster.

The Raptors do need to address adding a backup power forward and two centers to the roster. Serge Ibaka, who many expect to return to Toronto as the starting center, made over 23 million in 2020 and produced perhaps his best season in the NBA. It might mean he’s due a raise.

Marcus Morris Sr. could provide backup support for Pascal Siakam. he is a stretch forward who would fit into Raptors’ head coach Nick Nurse’s offensive schemes well. In 2020, Morris shot the three-ball at 40.8 percent and is 36.7percent for his career. He averaged 16.7 points per game in 2020.

Montrezl Harrell could back up a returning Serge Ibaka at the center spot. Harrell averaged 18.6 points per game in 2020 would provide the Raptors with a consistent scorer around the basket as he made 58 percent of his field-goal attempts. The Raptors were only 21st in the NBA scoring points in the paint in 2020.

Kyle Lowry leaving would hurt the Raptors as he is the heart and soul of the team.  However, to balance out their frontcourt needs, a deal of this framework would help. Kyle Lowry would provide them with a productive guard with a championship pedigree with all the chemistry problems amongst the Los Angeles Clippers roster.

Lowry also has a history of working well with Kawhi Leonard, as they were 2019 NBA champions in Toronto, and a reunion in Los Angeles between the two could work well.

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