The Raptors are still waiting on clarity in the Kawhi Leonard situation, and that delay has opened the door to another name: Michael Porter Jr.
Toronto and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a blockbuster deal to send Leonard back to Canada, but the trade sits in limbo because Leonard and the Clippers are now tied to an investigation into an alleged salary cap circumvention scheme. If the league finds wrongdoing, both sides could be hit with significant penalties.
For now, the Raptors have put the transaction on hold while they wait for more information. The problem is that the league’s investigation does not appear close to wrapping up, which leaves Toronto staring at an uncertain timeline as training camp approaches.
That uncertainty is why one idea gaining traction is a pivot to Porter Jr. as a fallback option if the Leonard deal falls apart. As Lambert wrote, “The Toronto Raptors are getting closer to the start of training camp, and with how mixed reports are circulating about when Kawhi Leonard is expected to join the team, it may be time to pivot,” Lambert wrote. “I’d assume that if the trade doesn’t go through, Toronto will still explore trading Brandon Ingram to avoid any awkwardness that BI rejoining the team would bring - they should pivot to Michael Porter Jr.”
Porter Jr. would not give Toronto the same impact Leonard does. He is not in Leonard’s class as a defender, and he does not offer much as a facilitator.
But he brings plenty of offense. He is a proven three-level scorer who can put up 30-plus points on any night, and he has shown he can handle being the primary scoring option.
There are also fewer durability questions around Porter Jr. than there once were. Injuries were a concern earlier in his career, but he has been mostly healthy in recent seasons and comes with plenty of playoff mileage, plus an NBA championship.
Leonard would still be the bigger prize if the Raptors can get the deal across the finish line, assuming he stays healthy. That remains a major question.
In Other News...
Darius Garland Has A Real Chance To Break Out For The Clippers
Darius Garlands first stretch with the Clippers gave a quick reminder of why the organization was willing to make the move. After arriving last season, he appeared in 19 games and brought steady scoring and playmaking, averaging 19.9 points and 6.4 assists while doing it with solid shooting efficiency. Now the early buzz around him is already building again, with NBA 2K27 handing him an 84 overall rating that fits the sense that hes still climbing rather than settling in.
For the Clippers, the real intrigue is what comes next if Garlands comfort level keeps growing. He showed enough in a short sample to suggest there is more there than just a useful midseason addition, and his blend of shot creation and distribution gives the roster a different kind of pressure point. If he takes the expected step forward, the Clippers could end up getting much more than a solid rotation piece out of the trade. [Read more 🡒]