...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
On Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors made a blockbuster trade to bring back franchise icon Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors gave up Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a 2027 first-round swap in the deal. It's a heavy price for a 35-year-old star, but in Toronto, he's worth every penny, and more.
Reports were that he wanted to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the organization didn't want to commit to him long-term, with Leonard currently on an expiring deal where's he's set to make $50.3 million next season. The Raptors have already committed to offering Leonard a two-year extension so that he remains in The Six through the 2028-29 season.
But what's most surprising here is that Kawhi wants to stay in Toronto. Seven years ago, when he left, that wasn't the case.
Read More on NBA
He left behind some of the greatest moments in Raptors franchise history, though. In the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals , with the score tied and 4.2 seconds left in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Leonard launched a corner fadeaway over Joel Embiid that bounced off the rim four times before falling through. It was the first buzzer-beater game-winner in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history.
View content
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYaRN-XxYhv/?hl=en
More news: Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto in Blockbuster Raptors-Clippers Trade
Leonard finished that postseason averaging 30.5 points. 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals across 24 playoff games en route to the franchise's first NBA championship, winning Finals MVP. In doing so, he became just the 12th player in league history to win Finals MVP with multiple teams after previously winning the award in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs.
It was one of the best playoff runs in NBA history, and a moment that Raptors fans still talk about to this day.
And now, he's back.
This time around, he'll be teaming up with a much younger core built around two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes and former No. 3 overall pick, and Toronto native, RJ Barrett, who led the team in scoring during the playoffs last year, averaging 24.1 points per game. In addition, the Raptors have ascending rookie Collin Murray Boyles, who Toronto reportedly refused to trade, sharpshooting guard Ja'Kobe Walter, and defensive specialist Jamal Shead.
The trade for Leonard turned the Raptors into Eastern Conference contenders overnight. But there's one more move that turns this from a great story into a perfect one, signing Kyle Lowry.
More news: LeBron James Is Officially Done With the Lakers — Warriors Now the Favorite
...
More news: Warriors’ LeBron James Saga Takes Stunning Turn After Kristaps Porzingis Move
Lowry stated back in May his intention to "sign a one-day contract and retire as a Raptor," firmly saying, That has not changed." He appeared in just 14 games last season with the 76ers, averaging 1.2 points in 8.4 minutes. But now with his contract in Philly up, many speculate he's going to retire, though he also said he "has not thought about" retirement yet.
But what if he doesn't retire? What if he instead signs a veteran minimum (around $3.8 million) to run it back one last time with Kawhi and the Raptors?
He wouldn't be coming back to play 30 minutes a night as he did in 2019. He'd be coming back to provide the Raptors with a veteran voice who knows the organization, the city, the fanbase, the culture, and how to win a championship, with Kawhi.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines