Raptors, please tell me this is not true.

Celticman

Into Ties and Tail
Aug 13, 2009
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Durham & Toronto
Michael Grainge has reported that the Raptors are discussing the possibility of reuniting with Kawhi Leonard.

It is likely he will want an extension beyond the one year remaining on his current contract at 50 mil. An extension will likely take him to age 40. What if he reverts to endless injuries as is his history? This will get worse as he plays through his late thirties.

The investigation into the possible illegal payments that he received is not complete. Why trade for him until this is resolved? Per Grainge……………..” The most likely construction of the deal would centre on a package including 2026 all-star Brandon Ingram and third-year wing Gradey Dick, which would work in terms of salary matching, per one source. The Raptors would likely have to add some draft picks as additional compensation”.
 

maurice93

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Mar 29, 2006
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I'll take an extension of a 34 year old Kawhi Leonard vs an extension of a 29 year old Brandon Ingram.... Ingram being a one dimensional scorer, who is not overly efficient, poor defender, and choked in the 2026 playoffs.
 

tml

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Aug 10, 2011
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He had the keys to the country offered to him and turned away.

He's not bringing his jacket and he's not coming back.
I can actually cut him some slack for not re-signing with the Raptors because he wanted to play in his hometown. Similar to John Tavares leaving Long Island to fulfil his dream of playing in hometown Toronto.
What I object to is blatantly using Toronto as a bargaining chip. Disrespectful.
 

billsmafia

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Looks like the Kawhi to Toronto deal will soon be done. I'm a huge fan of his but the best ability is availability.
 

Insidious Von

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It may not be, remember he won us a championship. He returned to save his marriage, Nishelle loved Toronto especially during her pregnancy.

Kendrick Perkins, friend of the Tim and Sid Show thinks it's a great trade. I wonder what the Chucker will say? Brandon Ingram got injured during the playoffs and we lost in 7 to the Cavs.

 
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Pretzelmaster

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Feb 4, 2023
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Great NBA player. However, 35 years of age and two bad knees. His best days are long gone. Big mistake by Raptors. They gave up too much.
 

knees

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Mar 25, 2006
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Will he be suspended for the whole Aspiration thing, i.e. under the table payment to Leonard by Clippers' owner ?

If NBA found the participating parties guilty, Cliipers will probably be docked a draft pick or two, , Leonard may get suspended for a bit, which may be okay since he will need the load management at 35 y old.

not a great move by Toronto, I agree.
 

tml

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I'm not a betting person, but I wonder if this will change the betting book odds of the Raptors winning the championship.
 

richaceg

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Feb 11, 2009
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A lot of raptors fan are still chasing that 2019 feeling . It's all about marketing. We needed a cold blooded go to guy when it really matters...he can be 50% all season...he just better show up come play offs
 
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Toronto Passions

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Will he be suspended for the whole Aspiration thing, i.e. under the table payment to Leonard by Clippers' owner ?

If NBA found the participating parties guilty, Cliipers will probably be docked a draft pick or two, , Leonard may get suspended for a bit, which may be okay since he will need the load management at 35 y old.

not a great move by Toronto, I agree.
Snce the trade went down, I've learned/read a lot about this Aspiration scandal. It certainly feels like Clippers ownership wants to distance themselves from everything about the scandal, including Leonard himself.

Philip
 
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billsmafia

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Snce the trade went down, I've learned/read a lot about this Aspiration scandal. It certainly feels like Clippers ownership wants to distance themselves from everything about the scandal, including Leonard himself.

Philip
And vice-versa.
 

maurice93

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Great NBA player. However, 35 years of age and two bad knees. His best days are long gone. Big mistake by Raptors. They gave up too much.
Did you watch the NBA last year? He had one of his 3 best regular seasons of his entire career. Some analysts viewed him as a top 5 player in the league last year... he finished #7 best player in All-Star voting. He put up 27 points a game on extremely high efficiency. Yes he is a real injury risk, but by definition his best days can't be long gone when one of this best seasons was just completed.

In terms of the too much. Brandon Ingram, the one dimensional. injury prone playoff chocker is not a good player at $45M and certainly one you should be wary of extending at the end of the year. Grady Dick is not a fit here, and is glued to the bench.

I don't like the 2031 and 2033 picks but it costs you to get a player who was on the border of first all star / second all star team last year.

The swap is nothing ... it will be a swap of pick 22-25 vs pick 30.
 
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billsmafia

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Definitely risk-reward for the Raptors. Worst part is the two first-round picks. Hopefully we're not a lottery team by 2033.
 
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