The Toronto Raptors have their sights set on making a real run over the next few seasons, and this summer was about putting the right pieces in place. They already made the biggest move available to them by bringing in Kawhi Leonard, the kind of star the franchise was trying to land after winning the NBA Finals in 2019 and then slipping out of serious contention.
That Leonard addition, though, came with a catch this week. Toronto announced that he would be out for at least a week because of swelling in his left knee. Leonard was a late scratch from Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the team said the tests showed there was no acute injury in the knee.
If the Raptors are looking to keep pushing their chips in, another name has been floated as a possible next move: Jrue Holiday. CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn pointed to Toronto as one of the teams that could make sense for the veteran guard, whose résumé already includes two NBA championships and an All-Star nod.
“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 give Toronto more on the floor, but he’d also bring something just as valuable to a younger group: experience. With two titles already on his résumé, he’s been through the grind of winning at the highest level, and that kind of presence would fit naturally alongside a roster trying to climb back into contention.
In Other News...
Raptors Have A Chance To Keep Rolling In A Familiar Matchup
A familiar matchup has lined up well for Toronto early this season, and the latest meeting with Orlando only reinforced it. The Raptors cruised past the Magic 129-99 in their most recent game, a result that continued a trend of success in the series and came with RJ Barrett leading the way with 25 points.
Toronto has opened 3-1 and remains undefeated at home, with four players averaging at least 16.5 points to give the offense a balanced look. Orlando, meanwhile, sits at 1-3 and will have to find a better answer if these teams cross paths again, especially with the Raptors showing they can score and defend at a level that makes this matchup look comfortable. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Defense Looks Legit But A Bigger Test Is Coming
Four games into the season, the Raptors have done more than just look competent on defense. Theyve sat atop the NBA in defensive rating at 97.9, edging out Minnesota and giving early proof that the group can make life miserable for opponents even while the offense is still finding its footing. It is an encouraging start for a team trying to establish an identity, especially with Kawhi Leonard working his way through limited minutes because of conditioning and a knee injury.
The real examination comes next, when Torontos schedule turns into a much tougher run against several strong teams. Those matchups will say a lot about whether the Raptors defensive numbers are a sign of something sustainable or simply a hot opening stretch, and theyll also force the offense to hold up under more pressure without much margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Face Real Pressure After That Raptors Blowout
The Orlando Magic come back around to the Raptors in NBA Cup play carrying the memory of a 30-point loss the last time the teams met, and the circumstances look even trickier this time. Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs are out with injuries, leaving Orlando to keep reshuffling around Desmond Bane as it searches for more reliable shooting and a steadier offensive rhythm.
Sean Sweeney has already used three different starting lineups lately because of the injury churn, and another tweak could be coming. Tristan da Silva may get the nod alongside Franz Wagner, a move that would say plenty about how much the Magic are still trying to piece together a group that can handle Toronto better than it did the first time around. [Read more 🡒]