Kawhi Leonard Odds: Will the Klaw Be a Raptor After the Trade Deadline?
- Can the Raptors convince Kawhi Leonard to stay long term in Toronto?
- The new-look Raptors are in the mix for a trip to the NBA Finals
- What deal makes sense for Toronto at the deadline?
Does Kawhi Leonard want to be a Toronto Raptor? As a Raptors fan, you’ve had glimpses of hope. Like, seriously, when’s the last time you’ve seen Leonard smile?
Welcome to the North pic.twitter.com/FWy6huVI9l
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 20, 2018
Also, things apparently went amazing with his first meeting with head coach Nick Nurse.
"It was not what I was expecting. He’s very smart, very intelligent, and very engaging. It was really enjoyable.”
In an exclusive interview, Raptors coach Nick Nurse told me & @dfeschuk about an encouraging first meeting with his new star, Kawhi Leonard: https://t.co/diAXMaeDBQ pic.twitter.com/zd3ISEvwFx
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 28, 2018
Kawhi Leonard Will be Traded by Raptors by Deadline
| True | False |
|---|---|
| +200 | -300 |
A lot is riding on this one season.
If you’re betting false, then you must be anticipating a monster season in the 6ix.
And there’s plenty of reasoning behind that. This is a team that is coming off a franchise-best 59-win season. That’s a .720 winning clip! They were, by any metric, one of the best offensive teams in the NBA.
This is a team that is coming off a franchise-best 59-win season. That’s a .720 winning clip! They were, by any metric, one of the best offensive teams in the NBA.
They were only one of six teams to score more than 110 points a game, they were top six in assists, and top seven in field goal percentage.
And while their defense cratered down the stretch in the regular season, they finished with a top five defensive rating, were fifth in field goal percentage D, and they tied for sixth in the NBA in points allowed.
That’s legitimately good. And they run back essentially the same unit with Leonard replacing DeMar DeRozan.
Leonard is already in the discussion for one of the best defenders in NBA history, to go with a blossoming offensive game and a proven track record of delivering in the postseason. If he returns to form, then this team has a legit chance at competing for a spot in the NBA Finals.
That might be enough to keep him.
.@stephenasmith makes the case for why Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers next year isn't a sure thing. pic.twitter.com/2fXnquzMKd
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 1, 2018
On the flip side, betting “true” is imagining a scenario where the Raps struggle early, and Leonard looks like a shell of his former self. Instead of being in the top four of the East, the Raptors are hovering around .500.
It’s January, and Leonard looks mostly disinterested, but shows enough skill as a reminder that he’s still capable of being that guy. The Toronto media, as they are wont to do, pick up on that vibe and pile on it. Tension rises. By the way, it’s not exactly a smooth transition thus far.
Great start for Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors ? pic.twitter.com/oYx9fARijY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 28, 2018
If you’re the Raptors, are the first 50 games a chance to gel and then make a real playoff push, or the time to cut the cord, deal him and take home a large bounty?
What if the Lakers offered Brandon Ingraham, Lonzo Ball and a draft pick?
Or the Clippers’ dangled their 2018 draft duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jerome Robinson, and future firsts?
Maybe the Celtics, in prime position to win a title, propose Jaylen Brown, the Memphis unprotected pick in 2021 AND next year’s Philly/Sacramento first rounder (top-1 protected)? The Raptors would be stocked with the young players and assets to be competitive for the next five years and beyond.
If you’re the Raptors, are the first 50 games a chance to gel and then make a real playoff push, or the time to cut the cord, deal him and take home a large bounty?
It will be a fascinating season up North, in either scenario.
Betting-wise, +200 seems mighty generous for a guy who lives and breathes the West Coast.
I’m banking on the risk-averse Raptors going big picture on this one and dealing Leonard before it’s too late.
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
