Kawhi Leonard is undoubtedly a game-changing, needle-moving, big-fish talent. There’s no doubt about that. I had some reservations about how much his arrival would raise expectations for Toronto’s season, but I also couldn’t ignore the impact a healthy, locked-in Leonard can have on a franchise — and how much he can help push a team over the hump. We got a chip to show for it, after all.
The two-game sample we saw from Kawhi this season wasn’t his most efficient stretch. But knowing he may have been dealing with the knee swelling issue gives us helpful context for his shaky offense, and in spite of it all, he still looked like an impact player elsewhere on the floor.
Yesterday, we got another update on Leonard’s status: his recovery is expected to keep him out for at least another week, with a further update to follow.
My colleague Chris Lambert made a great point in his piece: taking a careful approach to Kawhi’s recovery is the right decision for the Raptors long-term and for Leonard’s health. After what looked like a rushed return to action in the preseason and early games, it makes sense to give him time to recover instead of expecting him to look like himself right away.
I’m all for Leonard taking the time he needs to rehab, and for the team to manage his comeback accordingly. My concern, however, is the Raptors potentially viewing his comeback as their ultimate saving grace.
Toronto is missing the point if they're banking so heavily on Kawhi to fix a majority of their problems ... it's a team issue at large
Scottie Barnes remains the franchise cornerstone, but it’s clear that a lot of Toronto’s ambitions also rely on Kawhi. He was expected to make the Raptors’ defense even more killer, while his versatile shot creation abilities gave them a more polished answer on offense — something this team desperately needs behind the talent already in place.
I expect Leonard to help address some of Toronto’s struggles. He is sure to raise the team’s defensive level, and, if he’s fully healthy, bring more efficient offense and a much-needed boost from three. I can also trust Kawhi’s mastery at the free-throw line to put points on the board, unlike others on this roster who struggle to deliver there. But as I’ve said since the offseason (and even more so after this early glimpse of the team), Toronto can’t put all its chips on one player and expect him to solve everything.
All things considered, the Raptors are doing alright in the grand scheme of the competition. They’re 5-5 and sixth in the conference at the time of writing. Compared to some other ambitious East squads falling short of expectations, the Raps haven’t exactly fallen by the wayside — but that doesn’t mean they’re in the clear.
I can’t look past some of this team’s glaring holes. Toronto hasn’t been great at containing sharpshooting opponents, and that’s even more concerning when you consider how limited the Raptors have looked trying to keep up from three themselves.
With Immanuel Quickley sidelined by injury, the point guard role is also in focus. Reserve Jamal Shead’s recent play has highlighted some areas where IQ can fall short as the floor general leading this charge — even if Shead has concerns of his own as a potential starter.
And while Jakob Poeltl has played surprisingly well amid the Raptors’ mounting injuries — I wouldn’t bank on this big-man rotation holding up over a full season or against the league’s toughest teams.
Kawhi can certainly help in some of these areas, or at least serve as a cover. But plenty of the team’s problems won’t disappear just because Leonard returns and acts as flex tape holding everything together. His teammates need to step up, too, and show they can turn things around once the team is back at full strength.
Keep in mind, it’s not just Kawhi right now — we’re hoping Scottie Barnes also makes a healthy recovery. Meanwhile, RJ Barrett has been a passable engine on offense in Leonard’s absence, but I’d like to see him return to a more efficient brand of hoops once Kawhi is back drawing defensive attention.
Elsewhere, I’m looking at guys like Ja’Kobe Walter (who has been far from impressive lately) returning to the ruthless 3-and-D piece he was touted to be. I’m also looking at emerging bright spots like the hitman, Jamison Battle, and the ball of energy, Alijah Martin, to carry the strong play they’ve shown during this Kawhi-less stretch into the games that matter once he returns.
It's also up to Toronto's personnel to show some urgency in addressing the team’s painfully obvious flaws, whether it’s experimenting with the most ideal lineups, or preparing to make upgrades sooner rather than later.
The Raptors need more insurance, and proof the players around him can hold their own. With a tough slate of games ahead into December, it’s unreasonable to put so much trust on a 35-year-old Kawhi to shoulder a heavy load when he returns — even if he's expected to be a huge boost.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
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