The Toronto Raptors knew that they were taking on a massive injury risk when they re-acquired Kawhi Leonard in an offseason trade, and it took not even a full week of games for a knee injury to sideline him. The latest update could leave Leonard out for longer than initially expected.
According to Chris Haynes, Leonard is scheduled to miss at least 3-4 weeks as the swelling in his knee subsides. Just as Leonard was getting ramped up following an offseason in limbo, the Raptors are back to where they were last season, albeit without Brandon Ingram.
This timeline will sideline Leonard through the middle of November. Any Leonard injury is going to come with an added level of concern, and it looks like the Raptors are willing to take these lumps on the chin during the regular season to better guarantee his health later in the campaign.
Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with knee swelling
Leonard only shot 32% from the field in his first two games in his return to Canada, but fans saw the exact blend of mid-range scoring and vicious on-ball defense that made him one of the greatest players of his era. The Raptors' defense was as ferocious as many expected when Leonard was healthy.
Toronto's dominant win over the Orlando Magic showcased what the lineup and rotation will look like in Leonard's absence. Ja'Kobe Walter went from a bench gunner to a starter, with Jamison Battle and Trayce Jackson-Davis seeing an uptick in minutes as a reciprocal effect. Against Orlando, that trio held their own.
While no one wants to lose a player of Leonard's caliber, the Raptors seem to be of the mindset that what they have internally is good enough to keep this team afloat if he is going to miss some time. They wouldn't have gone through with this trade if they didn't make that calculation beforehand.
Scottie Barnes must step up for the Toronto Raptors without Kawhi Leonard
After getting shut out by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Barnes looked like his old self against Orlando. With Leonard on the mend, the Raptors need to hope that Barnes can be a load-carrier on offense while many of the other starters around him continue their hot starts to the season.
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have started the season off fairly well on offense, but their skills on that end will truly be tested without Leonard to cover up. Jakob Poeltl being anything better than a lamppost in the middle of the floor would be welcome, as would a Collin Murray-Boyles offensive breakout as a sixth man.
Leonard's absence will assuredly damage this team's ceiling, but the ingredients for a successful run without him are there.
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