Would a hypothetical Kawhi chord even make sense to the Raptors?

LAS VEGAS – Nothing creates a buzz like these wild and unsupported speculations, so here's some local reflections on Kawhi Leonard's "rumors" in Toronto.

First of all, the Raptors being the new favorites to land Leonard, one of the best players in the NBA and probably his best two-way talent, does not mean that there is a momentum towards such a movement. All it illustrates is that Vegas thinks it can get a good idea action.

Although Raptors boss Masai Ujiri and his counterpart from San Antonio RC Buford had an excellent relationship, there was no information from the fact that both actually held discussions of background. More likely, Leonard's camp is trying to speed up the divorce of the only franchise Leonard has ever known, the one that coincides is one of the best in all sports.

With that apart and half readership this piece, would Leonard continue to make sense to the Raptors?

It depends.

If Leonard and his people say Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster that, against all odds, the Californian who has long been connected to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers, has decided to move to the North and the signature of the company. a long-term extension is what he wants, by all means, the Raptors should push each chip to get it. Leonard would be the best player the franchise has ever had, even with a significant margin on premium Vince Carter, who could not lock opponents like a healthy Leonard.

But that is not the case. So, if Leonard is just a rental player for a year (and even then you should be sure that he would even come for a year) would it make sense for Toronto at this point?

Again, depends on the cost. Kyle Lowry had a strong interest in joining the Spurs as a free agent, but it was not a reciprocal match. If that is still the case, any package of Raptors would start with DeMar DeRozan. The third member of the All-NBA has been the most loyal of all the Raptors and a formidable player for the club, but Leonard is a far superior player, both more effective offensively and in a completely different field at home. Another end of the field. 19659002] San Antonio was high on Valanciunas in the past, perhaps there would be a way to work on something, with Toronto taking up unwanted contracts.

The Spurs would ask OG Anunoby, Toronto's best badet, and probably a first Delon Wright, Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl

For this corner, Anunoby is a non-starter for any Leonard rental. It should only be at stake in the alternative dimension where Leonard is hiring in Toronto in the long run. Failing that, separating from Siakam or even Wright would be difficult, but adding Leonard to Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Jonas Valanciunas would give the Raptors a shot to reach the finals. With Boston and Philadelphia poised to get away from the Raptors because of a much more talented gathering in a year or two, this could be the last shot at making serious noise for a while.

Again, without Anunoby included, it's likely splash worth being caught and the Raptors simply can not go back to an almost identical group except Dwane Casey and Rex Kalamian

Now that the summer has been revitalized, back to reality.

@ WolstatSun