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Brian Windhorst Hints Raptors Could Change Terms Of Kawhi Leonard Trade
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- Brian Windhorst Hints Raptors Could Change Terms Of Kawhi Leonard Trade
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Brian Windhorst thinks the Toronto Raptors now have a chance to renegotiate the terms of the expected trade for Kawhi Leonard , given how dramatically the leverage has shifted following the Los Angeles Clippers ' salary cap circumvention scandal .
Speaking on the Hoop Collective podcast , Windhorst hinted that the Raptors should keep a close eye on this situation before simply completing the previously agreed trade.
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"And what I would say going forward is, watch this space for what happens with this Kawhi-Toronto trade…"
"If I'm Toronto, I might open up the terms. I mean, it'd be uncomfortable to have Brandon Ingram back, but, you know. I'm just saying, like, I'm going to watch that space… Because how many times during this podcast did I reference that? It's a big swing piece."
The previously reported trade package was Brandon Ingram , Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a 2027 first-round swap, and two second-round picks to the Clippers for Leonard.
Windhorst thinks that appears to be telling that the Raptors could use the Clippers' new weakened position to reduce the draft compensation that is attached to the deal.
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The players might still have to remain largely because of salary-matching purposes, but the draft pick portion is where the Raptors could push for concessions.
Instead of sending two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two second-rounders, the Raptors could theoretically remove one first-round pick, eliminate the swap, reduce the second-round draft capital, or just a combination of any of these possibilities.
There is no report that the Raptors have demanded such new terms. It is Windhorst seeing an opportunity that is created by the current imbalance.
The Clippers have been hit with a $30 million fine, lost five future first-round picks , and seen Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank, and Gillian Zucker suspended .
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They're also trying to move forward from Leonard after a scandal that has nearly destroyed the franchise's future .
Meanwhile, Leonard has indicated publicly that he expects to return to the Raptors, and the Clippers have little reason to bring him back in what would be an extremely uncomfortable situation, and that gives the Raptors leverage that they might not have had in the past.
It also is especially important because this draft capital means so much more to the Clippers now than before the NBA punishment.
Windhorst previously noted trading Leonard could immediately help the Clippers recover two first-round picks after losing five . If the Raptors remove one of those picks, the Clippers' path to rebuilding just becomes even more difficult.
For now, the original deal remains the reported framework, but Windhorst clearly thinks the Raptors might have reasons to reopen negotiations before making it official.
