Story by
Raptors predicted to trade for ex-Celtics 2-time NBA champion, All-Star to pair with Kawhi Leonard
- Story by
- Raptors predicted to trade for ex-Celtics 2-time NBA champion, All-Star to pair with Kawhi Leonard
Raptors predicted to trade for ex-Celtics 2-time NBA champion, All-Star to pair with Kawhi Leonard originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Toronto Raptors are going all-in over the next few seasons, having built their roster into what they wanted this summer. Toronto won the NBA Finals in 2019 but hasn't been a serious contender since for various reasons.
Advertisement
However, the goal this summer was to acquire a superstar who could help the team compete at a high level again. They did just that by trading for Kawhi Leonard.
"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.
Bad news struck on Tuesday when it was announced that Leonard would miss time because of a knee injury.
"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.
Advertisement
If the Raptors want to make an even bigger splash, they could pursue another trade. CBS Sports' Sam Quinn believes Toronto could be a potential landing spot for veteran guard Jrue Holiday.
"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.
Not only would Holiday be a great addition to the Raptors' lineup, but he would also be an ideal mentor for the younger players on the roster. Holiday has already won two NBA championships, so he knows what it takes to compete for a title.
Holiday is currently under contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on a deal worth $134 million. Toronto would welcome him with open arms, and pairing him with Scottie Barnes and Leonard would give the Raptors a defensive trio that would be a nightmare for opposing teams to face.
Advertisement
