Photo Credit: Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports

Kawhi Leonard Has Been Traded To The Toronto Raptors In Exchange For DeMar DeRozan

According to various sources, the Toronto Raptors have finalized a deal to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for DeMar DeRozan (and other assets that have yet been made public).

If we believe ESPN, neither Kawhi Leonard nor DeMar DeRozan are happy about the deal. Last night, with growing evidence of the trade, DeRozan already posted an Instagram story questioning the loyalty in this league. Especially after sources close to DeRozan told ESPN’s Chris Haynes that DeRozan met with the Raptors’ front office during Vegas Summer League and was assured to not be traded.

Instagram/DeMar DeRozan

While I don’t think DeRozan is a great fit for the Spurs, I understand the reasoning behind it. With Kawhi’s strange injury situation, there weren’t too many great deals out there. So receiving an All-Star instead of losing Kahwi next year for nothing in return, when he’ll be a free-agent, sounds like a great deal. DeRozan is a pretty bad jump shooter, but the Spurs’ system has worked out without their first option being a great shooter for years. DeRozan has proven to be professional and loyal, making him the perfect Spur in that regard.

Kawhi on the other hand is a huge risk for the Raptors. First of all, we’re still in the blue about his injury situation, which alone could be a red flag for most general managers. This and the fact that Leonard has been pretty clear that he plans to sign with the Lakers next summer. Maybe Toronto can convince Leonard to re-sign with them, similar to how the Thunder did with Paul George, in that case, the Lakers would have missed out on both, Leonard and George, because they didn’t want to trade for either due to their confidence in aqcuring them via free agency. If Leonard leaves next summer though, the Raptors would have gotten rid of DeRozan for essentially nothing.