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Toronto Raptors: The case for and against trading for Kevin Durant

ByMatthew Chiu|
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second half of a game against the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second half of a game against the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The case for trading for Kevin Durant

Adding a Durant still in his prime, who is also under contract for the next four seasons? Sign us up! As good as this Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet-led core has been, is it really enough to bring home the ultimate goal of the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the next few seasons?

When the Raptors made the trade for Leonard four years ago, many across the league said Toronto was foolish for making this move. Even though the Leonard era lasted just a season, the Raptors walked out as the clear winners of the trade with an NBA championship.

You simply need at least a superstar in this era to compete for a ring, and Durant certainly fits the bill. No matter what the Raptors possibly give up in a trade, if it ends up rewarding them with a championship (possibly more than one), Toronto walks out as clear winners of the trade.

Kevin Durant would be a phenomenal fit in Toronto.

The Raptors’ interest in building a roster full of lengthy wings might be the worst-kept secret in the NBA. Standing at 6-10 (which is VERY conservative), Durant fits in perfectly into this Raptors lineup. Although he isn’t an All-Defensive caliber player that the Raptors love, he’s certainly capable of holding his own on that end of the floor.

When you’re trading for arguably the greatest pure scorer of the last 20 years, defense should be the last thing on your mind. Not only would Durant fill that go-to option void immediately if Toronto mortgages the future for him, but he could form one of the game’s best 1-2 punches in recent memory with Siakam.