Samson Folk, Trevon Heath, and Esfandiar Baraheni discuss the latest with the Raptors.
From Louis’ piece:
“The 2026 playoff Raptors looked to be a piece away. Quickley didn’t play, and he is a helpful piece. Poeltl was injured, and if the Raptors can expect better healthy from him, his addition would be enormous. Collin Murray-Boyles ascended. Barnes transcended. To add a wing defender, a play finisher, a half-court terminator: that would push the Raptors from first-round threat to deep playoff weapon.
But health would, in many ways, be the determining factor. Not only Leonard’s: Poeltl’s, Barnes’, even Quickley’s. The Raptors were not a deep team last year, and they would arguably be less deep this upcoming season if they traded for Leonard.
A five-man lineup of Quickley, RJ Barrett, Leonard, Barnes, and Murray-Boyles could run roughshod over virtually any grouping in the league. The team would still be missing paint touches, driving, and general rim attacking; Barrett’s importance to the Raptors’ playoff hopes would become even more important. The team would also be missing guard play and pick-and-roll creation. Perhaps the Raptors could add a paint-attacking guard to help for the playoff push if the Leonard deal happened.
But with Leonard on board, the Raptors would remain a transition terror and a defensive powerhouse. Barnes would likely see his passing windows even wider, and he could finally push for a First or Second All-Defensive Team slot if he had Leonard taking weight off his shoulders next season. The Raptors’ scoring would be far more stable in general.
It’s not hard to imagine a Leonard-led Raptors team winning 55 or 60 games and having home-court advantage for the first few rounds of the playoffs. That would be conditional on plenty, nothing more so than health. But that’s the gamble that teams make all the time. Leonard’s addition would take Toronto to the next level. And the team’s playoff performance proved that there aren’t too many more levels between the Raptors and the league’s elite. Acquiring Leonard would be a gamble worth making.
Let the good times roll (again).”
Have a blessed day.
