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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to Kawhi Leonard joining Raptors
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- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to Kawhi Leonard joining Raptors
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The Toronto Raptors made a splash this offseason, agreeing to terms on a trade that will send Kawhi Leonard to Canada once again. This time, Leonard chose the Raptors and is expected to sign a two-year extension with the franchise.
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As part of the deal, Toronto sent Brandon Ingram , Gradey Dick , two unprotected first round picks, two second round picks, and a first round pick swap to the LA Clippers . It's a massive commitment by the franchise that traded for Leonard eight summers ago and won the NBA Championship in his first and only season there.
The Canadian National Team played their first game in this window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Friday night, with Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading Canada past Puerto Rico, 110-84. In the contest , Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 26 points to go along with his three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. The NBA's reigning two-time NBA MVP did all of this in just 27 minutes of play, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
After the contest, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about Canada's lone NBA team in the Raptors adding Kawhi Leonard this offseason, instantly becoming an NBA Championship contender in the Eastern Conference.
"For as long as I can remember, Toronto has loved the the Raptors, the country has loved the Raptors," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters after the contest. "I don't think that'll ever change no matter who plays for them. But yeah, adding a guy like that to your roster no matter where you're from or what team you are amplifies everything. Your fanbase, your ability as a team on both ends of the floor. He's a really good player. Toronto should be a good team next year."
The Raptors refused to trade some of the young players the Clippers asked for in trade talks like Collin Murray-Boyles , Ja'Kobe Walters, and Jamal Shead . With the player package they gave up and who they retained, Toronto has put together a strong team around Leonard with Scottie Barnes , RJ Barrett , Immanuel Quickley , and Jakob Poeltl .
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We're only a few days into free agency and the NBA offseason, so there's a lot of time for the Raptors, and every other team in the league, to build competitive rosters before the season kicks off in October.
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