The Toronto Raptors already made their splash by landing Kawhi Leonard, but the buzz around this team may not stop there.
Toronto has become one of the more intriguing clubs to track this season, and not just because the roster has real talent. The organization has spent the last few years trying to get back on track, and this offseason brought a major swing with the addition of the two-time NBA champion.
“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.
There is one immediate snag, though. Leonard is expected to miss time with a knee injury, leaving Toronto without its new star for at least the next stretch of the season.
“Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard (knee) is expected to be sidelined for at least 3-4 weeks, sources tell me," NBA insider Chris Haynes posted.
Even with that setback, the Raptors are being linked to another notable move. CBS Sports' Sam Quinn believes Toronto could also chase Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro.
“He was more of a casualty of the mutual interest between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat than a genuine Bucks trade target. As a native of Wisconsin, he might help the Bucks sell some tickets, but they're in a full rebuild and already have a million shooting guards.
If someone will give up a real asset for him, the Bucks should take it. Toronto could use more shooting in the backcourt as well,” Quinn wrote.
Herro would give Toronto something it can always use: more shooting. He also brings experience, including a Finals appearance from his time with the Miami Heat, which only adds to his appeal as a possible fit.
For a Raptors team that could use spacing around Leonard and Scottie Barnes, a shooter like Herro would make sense. If defenses collapse on either of those two, he gives Toronto another clean answer on the perimeter and another offensive weapon to lean on.
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Raptors Loss Exposed A Problem They Couldnt Afford Against The Lakers
Jakob Poeltl being ruled out with bursitis left Toronto scrambling for size at Crypto.com Arena, and the gap showed in a 131-125 loss to the Lakers. The Raptors still managed to make life uncomfortable for Los Angeles in stretches, forcing 22 turnovers and creating enough extra chances to stay within striking distance.
Luka Doncics 45-point night was the kind of star power Toronto could not fully absorb without its starting center, especially when the Raptors were already trying to play from a disadvantage on the glass and around the rim. The effort was there, but against a Lakers team with that much shot-making, Torontos inability to turn those turnovers into a winning edge loomed large. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Suddenly Have A Frontcourt Opportunity They Cant Ignore
Domantas Sabonis has suddenly become one of the more intriguing names to watch around the league after ESPNs Tim MacMahon reported the Kings big man wants out following Sacramentos rough start. For teams like the Raptors, that kind of development immediately changes the conversation, because a player of Sabonis caliber does not come available often and any hint of movement at the top of the market tends to ripple quickly through the rest of the league.
Toronto already has reason to pay attention to the frontcourt market, and Sabonis would sit near the center of any serious discussion about upgrades. The fit questions are obvious, as are the salary complications and the roster decisions that would come with even exploring a deal, but the larger point is simple: if Sacramento really opens the door, the Raptors would be irresponsible not to at least look through it. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Trade Talk Is Heating Up Around A Backcourt Fix
The Raptors have opened the season at 3-3 while also managing Kawhi Leonards knee injury, and the early picture has already pointed to a familiar issue: the backcourt needs help. Torontos three-point shooting remains a concern, and that has naturally pushed the front office toward the trade market as a possible way to add more balance to the rotation.
CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn floated Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro as a name worth watching, framing him as a possible fit for what Toronto needs on both ends. It is still early, but the idea of a backcourt upgrade is already gaining traction as the Raptors try to steady their start and avoid letting the shooting issues linger too long. [Read more 🡒]