The Raptors made the big swing fans had been waiting for. They traded Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a 2027 pick swap to the Clippers for Kawhi Leonard. The 35-year-old is a familiar star who can take the team to the next level—if he’s healthy.
Health has long been an issue for Leonard. Since playing 60 games for the Raptors in 2019, he has only played 60 or more games twice. Concerns around his health will only grow the older he gets. The Raptors still have some of the same personnel that made sure Leonard was ready for a deep playoff run seven years ago, so they seem rather confident that they can do that again.
Still, trading for Leonard comes with a risk that’s beyond anyone’s control, and that risk causes some lingering doubts about the Raptors’ ability to actually contend for a championship with Leonard leading the charge. Zach Lowe, for example, is still skeptical about their ability to even get out of the Eastern Conference. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying.
“If we’re talking championship equity and playoff equity, it just feels pretty hard for me to believe that he’s ever going to get through the playoffs healthy because we just haven’t seen it in a while, and I just feel like I have to throw that caveat out there,” Lowe said on the July 1 episode of The Zach Lowe Show. “It’s a big caveat. It’s not just the games played; it’s the grind of the playoffs that takes its toll. Even so, I think the price is worth it for the Raptors. Even if I’m skeptical that this team is going to win the championship with Kawhi Leonard, or even make the finals. They certainly have the ability to do it.”
Gambling on Kawhi Leonard’s health could pay off in the best way possible
The draft capital they gave up could come back to haunt the Raptors if trading for Leonard doesn’t result in significant playoff success. But they had to make a move like this sooner rather than later to build a better team around Scottie Barnes. Player-wise, they didn’t give up a ton. Ingram was good in the regular season, but he comes with his own injury concerns and disappointed in the playoffs. Gradey Dick’s time in Toronto was over anyway.
If Leonard is healthy, giving up those picks will be well worth it. He can immediately take over as the number-one option on offense and will strengthen an already good defense.
With Leonard, Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles, the Raptors have all the defensive intensity, athleticism, disruptiveness, and switchability a team could hope for. If you play all three of those with a backcourt of Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter, the other team might as well just give them the ball. Scoring against the Raptors with a healthy Leonard in the mix will be a nightmare.
There couldn’t have been a better time for a gamble like this either. The Knicks are fresh off a championship, but who is right behind them in the Eastern Conference?
The Celtics traded Jaylen Brown for Paul George and took a step backwards. The 76ers are, even with Brown in the mix, at the mercy of Joel Embiid’s health. The Raptors already almost beat the Cavs in the playoffs without Leonard. The Heat still have to build out the supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Tyrese Haliburton will be back for the Pacers, but he has had a rough few months since tearing his Achilles. With a healthy superstar, there’s a clear pathway for the Raptors to contend for the East and a championship.
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