The Toronto Raptors may not be done after landing Kawhi Leonard. If they’re serious about pushing back into contention, there’s already a name being floated as the next big move: Jrue Holiday.
Toronto’s summer has been built around going all in over the next few seasons, with the franchise trying to reshape itself into a legitimate force again after its 2019 NBA Finals title. The Raptors made the headline-grabbing swing for Leonard, the superstar they hoped could lift them back into the league’s top tier.
“The trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers to Toronto has been made official after a monthslong delay due to the NBA's investigation into the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. The teams initially agreed to the deal on June 30, but it was paused while the league investigated allegations the Clippers violated salary cap rules in signing Leonard as a free agent," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.
But just as Toronto was trying to build momentum, it took a hit on Tuesday when Leonard’s knee became a concern. The Raptors announced he would miss at least a week because of swelling in his left knee.
“Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for at least a week because of swelling in his left knee, the Toronto Raptors said Tuesday. Leonard, who has a long history of knee problems, was a late scratch from Toronto’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. The Raptors said tests revealed there is no acute injury in his left knee,” NBA.com wrote.
Even with that setback, Toronto could still be looking to stack another impact veteran next to Leonard. CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn identified Holiday as a possible fit for the Raptors, along with Detroit and Miami.
“Anywhere. There is not a team in the history of basketball that would not be improved by Jrue Holiday's presence.
Low-maintenance offense, still strong defense and an all-time teammate. Take your pick on who can fit the salary.
The usual suspects (Detroit, Toronto, Miami) all make sense, but the true answer is probably everyone,” Quinn wrote.
Holiday would bring more than just another solid piece to the roster. He’d give Toronto a proven veteran with two NBA championships on his résumé, along with the kind of presence that could matter for a younger group trying to learn what it takes to win at the highest level.
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The concern is less about one off night than the direction of the possession-by-possession picture. Barnes has had solid games to open the season, but a poor shooting performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves was another reminder that Toronto cant afford for him to drift too far from the areas where he does his best work. The Raptors still need his playmaking, but they need his rim pressure even more, and finding that balance may end up shaping how effective the offense can be. [Read more 🡒]