Final Verdict.
While the Durant trade does indeed have some unique pitfalls that could hurt Toronto if they trade for him, the benefit they could gain from acquiring him is so unprecedently positive that Ujiri should keep his name in the sweepstakes. With teams like Boston and Philly involved, Toronto is not alone.
Players of this level fresh off averaging 30 points a game with a complete patsy as a head coach never become available via trade. We, as NBA fans, might have to collectively wait another decade before someone in this tier with this level of security. Now is when you go all-in.
The Toronto Raptors should take the Kevin Durant plunge.
Imagine a starting lineup in which Nick Nurse leans on the Barnes at point guard experiment, Siakam becomes one of the best No. 2 options in the league, and Durant gets penciled in for an automatic 25 points every single night. Players like OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. will be tough losses, but that’s the price of doing business.
With draft picks not providing as much value to a team looking to enter the contending tier, the Raptors may need to get a bit more aggressive and proactive than they usually are at this time of year in order to acquire KD and leave their rivals crying in disappointment.