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Toronto Raptors: Why the Kawhi-DeRozan deal will hurt long-term

By Andres Buenahora

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Exploring why the blockbuster DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard trade will do more harm than good for the Toronto Raptors in the long run

The blockbuster trade that sent superstar Kawhi Leonard and shooting guard Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for their franchise player DeMar DeRozan and big man Jakob Poeltl has been perhaps the most significant transaction of this offseason.

There is no doubt that the Raptors got better by making this trade. DeRozan may be a four-time all-star and one of the league’s premier scorers, but Kawhi Leonard, when healthy, is considered the best two-way player in the game.

The Raptors greatly improved their title odds for next season. However, this transaction will prove to be a mistake for them long-term.

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It’s no secret that Leonard wants to play in Los Angeles and be a home-town hero. The cold weather of Toronto and lack of historical significance or romanticism in NBA history lack a compelling narrative.

On top of this, the Raptors might not even make it out of the East. The Boston Celtics were merely one game away from the NBA Finals and are welcoming back two all-stars who will be ready for the playoffs. The innate potential of the Philadelphia 76ers’ young core, and rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks makes this even more difficult for Toronto.

Essentially, next summer, Kawhi will get to decide whether he wants to play with an aging Kyle Lowry or return home and join forces with the best player on the planet in LeBron James.

Toronto will attempt to sway Leonard into a similar “Paul George and OKC” scenario, but a loss of trust stemming from a broken relationship was the very reason Kawhi wanted to leave San Antonio.

Not only does Toronto not have the allure of New York or Los Angeles, but numerous NBA players have criticized the team’s general manager Masai Ujiri for blatantly lying and trading away a loyal contributor who embraced the community like few others and was the greatest player in franchise history.

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The Toronto Raptors will improve next year, no question. But once Kawhi leaves, and he will leave, the team will spiral back into irrelevancy for years to come.

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