Last postseason, Aaron Gordon pushed himself to play through an injury to get back on the court for Denver, but it wasn't enough for Denver as it got bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota.
"You've got to remember, he didn't finish the season. He didn't play in the playoffs. He was dealing with a hamstring injury, soft tissue injury. And when you're dealing with those injuries, you have to be very careful in your return. Guys want to play, and you have to protect them from themselves in that moment. Because you're up for a contract and it's the playoffs, and I've had a pretty good year, so I need to play. And it's important to protect that."
There were reports during the playoffs that other Nuggets teammates were frustrated with Watson for not pushing through his injury to play. Now we know why. Paul's answer also may not sit well with Nuggets fans, especially in the wake of what Gordon did, but it's also what an agent should be doing — looking out for the long-term health and what is best for his client.
It's fair to wonder if one reason the Nuggets didn't meet Watson's salary demands — which were less than what they paid Christian Brown the summer before — was that he didn't push to get on the court for the playoffs. Although the larger issue was Denver's finances, it remains over the second apron.
Cleveland needs him on the court this playoffs, with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt, they need his perimeter defense. His offensive game stepped up for a stretch last season, now Watson needs to show that wasn't an excuse.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Chaney Johnson #31 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 22, 2026 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As players begin to return to the HSS Training Facility for pick-up games and workouts prior to to the opening of training camp at the next of next month, it’s typically a time when word begins to trickle out about how each has developed throughout the offseason … who’s looking good, who will surprise.
That intrigue becomes even more prevalent when a player didn’t appear in Summer League, as was the case with Nolan Traoré, who enters his second season in Brooklyn after an up-and-down rookie year as the league’s sixth youngest player.
Nets two-way forward Chaney Johnson has had an up-close look at his teammates in recent weeks and he’s excited about the French guard’s progress since the last time they took the court together back in mid-April.
“Honestly, I’m going to have to say Nolan,” Johnson told me when asked about what he’s seen . “All the guys have improved, but I feel like Nolan … he’s a different guy now. He done put on some mass. He’s walking around with a sleeveless hoodie on, looking at the biceps, you know what I’m saying? He done put on some strength.”
Traoré didn’t play in Summer League, recovering from a knee scope, although he is expected to make a full return for training camp. While he wasn’t active on the floor, he’s has still been active in the gym and the weight room all offseason long, evidenced by Johnson’s comments.
We got only a brief look at him in Las Vegas when the Nets opened up the gym to the media …
Nolan Traore isn’t playing in Summer League because of his knee scope, but he made the trip to Vegas and is progressing well. #netspic.twitter.com/uhNP3GvqrX
After a rookie season in which he looked skinny playing against NBA competition, a bulk-up is expected to help Traoré’s game as he looks to take a Year 2 leap. Traoré finished the year on a high note, indicating he has plenty of upside and room for growth. Over the past month and half of the season (31 games), Traore averaged better than 11 points a game along with four assists, putting up individual games of 23 points, 12 assists and five 3-pointers. Even before that, in February, Traore led the 2025 rookie class in assists with 67.
Johnson had good things to say about the other members of the Flatbush 5 as well.
“All the guys have improved,” he added. “Drake has gotten stronger. Danny has gotten stronger. He’s gotten a lot more mobile. He’s moving a whole lot better. I can just tell the confidence that he’s [showing] in his workouts and the way that he’s operating. Ben has gotten stronger.”
Johnson spoke as well of the two veterans, Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle, who he said will bring needed “grit” aka physicality
“You know, I got to be around MPJ a solid bit toward the end of the season last year, and then just getting to meet Julius Randle and being around him a lot more. Julius Randle, for sure, just brings a grit that I’m not going to say we don’t have, but just a grit that we need,” he said.
“He brings — like, Jordi is a hard-nosed, dive-on-the-floor, play-hard, but at the same time make sure we take care of the basics type of coach. I feel like Julius brings that. He just brings an added benefit on top of what Jordi already wants out of his players.
“He’s a cool dude. I feel like he’s a lot bigger in person — pause. But muscle-wise, this man is, like, [unclear], man. He just brings strength. He brings a toughness that I feel like is going to pay off this year.”
Johnson experienced an encouraging offseason of his own. The 24-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and a Summer League-leading 3.3 steals per game in Las Vegas as he continues to strengthen his case for an expanded role with Brooklyn.
Currently on a two-way contract, Johnson is looking to earn a standard NBA deal with the team, and his Summer League showing was certainly a step towards accomplishing that.
“I just wanted to go out there and have fun,” Johnson said of his own performance. “Of course, we wanted to win it all, but we fell short. The camaraderie that we had, we just enjoyed it. I feel like that kind of showed on the court.”
That alone didn’t leave him satisfied, though. Since returning to Brooklyn, he has continued working to round out his game ahead of training camp.
“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot stronger, a lot more athletic,” Johnson told me. “My touch has improved. I feel like my shot has improved a good bit since last year.”
One of Johnson’s biggest offseason priorities has been developing his shooting game. He has worked closely with Nets shooting consultant Dave Love to fine-tune his mechanics.
“I’ve been getting a lot of reps in,” Johnson said. “I’ve been working with Coach Dave Love, just working on loading my wrist, getting my hand under the ball and making sure my balance and everything is keyed in. My confidence with shooting has come a long way.”
Despite standing at only 6’7”, Johnson spent significant time at the 5 throughout Summer League games in Sacramento and Las Vegas, and despite being undersized for the position, he believes the way Brooklyn uses the center spot fits him.
“I feel like it suits my strengths,” said Johnson regarding the way Brooklyn utilizes the five. “Playing at the 5, driving on DHOs, you just can’t be loose with it. You’ve got to make sure you’re getting below the defender so you can make the handoff easier and make the guy coming off the DHO open for three or for the attack.”
Given that he is undersized, he’s faced challenges defensively, but Johnson has learned to lean on his athleticism and instincts as much as possible.
“Since I am shorter than the average NBA center, I just use my athleticism as much as I can, use my quickness and try to use my mind to get every advantage,” Johnson said of his 40+“ vertical. “One thing you can’t get is height, so I’m just trying to use all my strengths — my strength, my quickness and my athleticism — to my best advantage.”
At the end of the day, though, Johnson’s goal is to see the NBA floor as much as possible. After signing with the team in December on a two-way contract, he knows exactly what it takes to battle for recognition.
He had to make his mark with the Nets’ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, before earning an NBA chance. Prior to that, he was with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ G League team.
Johnson played in 24 games for Long Island (four starts), averaging 14.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 26.9 minutes while shooting 56.1% from the field.
His journey began, though, in the Division II ranks at the University of Alabama at Huntsville before transferring to Auburn, where he helped lead the team on a Final Four run in 2025.
“I’m just attacking every single day, attacking every weight-room lift, attacking recovery and trying not to take any days for granted,” Johnson said. “If I get the opportunity, I’m going to go out and play hard. I’m not leaving anything on the court.”
Johnson can’t control how many minutes will be available when the season begins. For now, he remains focused on making sure he is ready to give 110% whenever his name is called.
At the end of the day, his path for minutes won’t be easy. Brooklyn has eight players on rookie contracts, not counting second-round rookie, 6’9” shooter Tyler Bilodeau, who is also on a two-way deal.
There will be no shortage of competition for playing time, but Johnson has already shown he will put in the work and make the most of whatever comes his way.
Bottom line, Johnson said he and his teammates want “to win every game” after last year’s 20-win season which he described at “terrible.”
“I just feel like we’re hungry,” he said. “They know — we realize how terrible of a team we were last year, or how terrible we did. I know ‘terrible’ is a strong word, so I don’t want to — but we weren’t the best team last year. So I feel like we’ve got that chip on our shoulder now, and we’re ready to prove some people wrong.”
The New York Knicks’ first championship in 53 years came in such dominant fashion, fans are quickly turning towards the next one, with all but Mitchell Robinson returning and the season under two months away.
Their oldest rotation piece is 31-years-old and the front office can realistically keep them in place for at least the next two seasons, so their championship window remains open.
Although the league bolstered up and these guys aren’t exactly young, they only hit their peak during last year’s playoff run and it’s possible their ceiling is even higher. Just how long can New York keep this core team together and competitive?
Leon Rose and team have already suffered a loss in keeping under the second apron, as Robinson left for the Boston Celtics with the Knicks unable to match their offer. On the bright side, they locked in Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet for the next three seasons, and Mikal Bridges is under contract for that long as well.
New York’s immediate concerns are Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride. Towns has a $61 million player option for next year but fans are hoping he and the Knicks can come to terms on a fair extension before the season following a legendary postseason run.
A team-friendly deal in the $50 million a year range, short of his near-$70 million max, would lock him up well past his prime and help the Knicks duck the apron in the years to follow. The alternatives would be losing a key starter or trading Towns before he could flee in free agency.
Hart has a team option for next season at $22.3 million, but just became extension eligible. The Athletic reports a likely three-year offer in the range of $20 million per year, which tracks with offering long-term security at a lower price to maintain this aging roster.
The league could throw gaudier numbers Hart’s way, but the Jalen Brunson connection makes a departure hard to imagine. His skillset and culture-setting are perfect for this team, which makes every dollar worth it even if his game starts to slip towards the back end.
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) reacts with guard Jalen Brunson (11) and guard Mikal Bridges (25) against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena / Kyle Ross - Imagn Images
McBride is a different story, as he and the Knicks didn’t reach an extension before the deadline, setting him up to his free agency this summer. Teams are likely to throw valuable role player numbers at him after New York all but swindled him the past few seasons, so retaining him would make retaining the rest of their rotation near impossible.
It would make sense for the Knicks to shop him this trade deadline to teams interested in picking up his bird rights in exchange for somebody still on their rookie scale or a similarly priced deal. If not, they run the risk of losing him in free agency, though seem to have their backup plans in Tyler Kolek and Jack Kayil (who will play overseas during the 2026-27 season).
Barring catastrophe here, the Knicks can keep their non-McBride minutes the same and continue competing through the next two seasons. They’d have a starting five of 32- and 33-year-olds, but can still keep the math working for even longer.
The assumption is Brunson inks a max extension with New York ahead of time, setting him up to make over $70 million a year starting in 2028-29. This is why the front office needs to pinch pennies with every extension so far.
OG Anunoby’s final year player option also hits in 2029 at $48 million. The magic annual number to keep the party going is somewhere below that - $45 million should work but $40 is even better.
This third year out is the tightest with Brunson’s and potentially Anunoby’s extensions kicking in. If Towns insists on closer to $60 million, or any of the others want bigger bumps, this plan goes awry quickly.
It’s possible this team isn’t worth keeping together past that point as they start to show their wear-and-tear or naturally drift apart like other "superteams." In that case there’s little to worry about here as the Knicks would just pivot, retool or rebuild.
But if it still looks like they could win, they just need to extend Bridges at the $40 million his contract ends on and reload the bench, and they could theoretically keep this team going for the next five seasons. It’s hard to imagine them wreaking havoc for that long, but many didn’t imagine them winning a championship in the first place.
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 24: Collin Murray-Boyles #12 and Ja'Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors smile during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 24, 2025 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Beyond Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors likely won’t see another needle-moving (even by a centimetre) type of player walk through the doors of the Scotiabank Arena before the start of the 2026-27 season.
This is especially true after DeMar DeRozan signed with the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
That means the answer must already exist inside Toronto’s locker room. Leonard is still a superstar, but for the Raptors to make a meaningful run in an uber-competitive Eastern Conference, he needs the supporting cast to step up.
After Leonard hit the game-winner against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019 championship run, injuries temporarily slowed him down. Leonard’s teammates picked him up until he was ready to save the day. Fred VanVleet went nuclear from deep against the Milwaukee Bucks. Pascal Siakam ascended and hit the last field goal in the title-clinching game. Game Six Kyle Lowry went berserk in the opening minutes.
On this team, especially when Leonard misses time, it will again take a village. But for the Raptors to truly take advantage of however many years Leonard has in the tank, fans believe Ja’Kobe Walter must unlock another level.
Walter has the potential to be a more dynamic version of what Danny Green was in 2019. The third-year guard averaged one steal last season and should continue to grow into one of the better perimeter defenders on the team. He’s also one of the best shooters on the roster after averaging 40.9 per cent from deep in his sophomore season. If Walter can continue to develop his in-between game, he’ll play a significant role in reducing the scoring droughts that have typically plagued the Raptors in the past.
With the start of pre-season beginning on Oct. 3, Raptors fans can continue to voice their expertise, knowledge, and concerns about the upcoming year on FanDuel.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles against Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2026 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Do you have a retirement plan? A 401(k)? Is your portfolio properly diversified? Have you considered when you might retire, maybe leaving yourself time to walk into the sunset with some quality years still ahead of you? Or do you plan to cling to a job you enjoy for as long as you can, before AI pries it from your fingers, and maybe provide some mentorship to the younger generation?
Here’s what some famous old guys are up to. May you be so financially fortunate in your later years.
Klay Thompson is expected to sign with Miami after clearing waivers following a buyout with Dallas. NBA.com reports that he averaged 11.7 points last season and 12.9 points while shooting 39% from three across his two Mavericks seasons. If everything goes according to plan, Miami would be adding him specifically to improve the spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
James Harden has agreed to return to Cleveland on a reported three-year, $97 million deal. Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games after arriving from the Clippers in February.
DeMar DeRozan has agreed to join Denver on a one-year, $3.9 million deal after Sacramento waived him. He averaged 18.4 points in 77 games last season and remains 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million veteran-minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, with a player option for the second year. Taking a historic pay cut after making nearly $53 million last season, the 41-year-old superstar joined the Sixers to chase another NBA title alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown.
Brown arrived in Philadelphia in another summer blockbuster, with the Boston Celtics acquiring Paul George and draft capital from the 76ers in return. George has two years remaining on his max contract, with a $54.1 million cap hit for 2026-27 and a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28.
George is 36. Thompson is 36. Harden turns 37 next week. DeRozan is 37. LeBron turns 42 in December. None qualifies as old in ordinary human terms, but by NBA standards these are some serious graybeards. Each has reached the point where a team is paying partly for the player who exists now and partly for what opponents remember about him.
We sometimes see guys defy Father Time and continue to perform at the highest level. Verlander and Scherzer are still hurling in the MLB, and Messi was the talk of the World Cup. I’d wet my pants to see Djokovic across the tennis court from me.
And sometimes there’s a strange temporal overlap, where reputation is more of an active force. You can see it on the court. Defenders do not react only to present ability, but also to accumulated memory. A shooter who once rained triples on the league may still produce a tingle of the old willies when he curls around a screen.
Imagine Klay standing motionless in the corner. He’s got some silver whiskers. He’s coming off an 11.7-point season. Everyone knows his Splash Brother-ing days are behind him. And yet the defender still thinks: Klay Thompson. For a fraction of a second, the defender’s body remembers something his CPU knows is old data. Can’t give him room. Chase him over the screen. Stay on his hip. That fraction of a second still has basketball value in today’s NBA.
More often, older NBA players are becoming specialists in pieces of the game they once dominated completely. It makes for a respectable second act, and it keeps them employed in an association with only 450 standard roster spots, 90 two-way spots, and a fresh flood of players arriving every summer who aren’t yet old enough to buy alcohol.
For Knicks fans of a certain vintage, seeing these older guys donning new jerseys might trigger some PTSD. There was a time when New York was more than willing to gamble on a risky player who might still contain enough of the old mojo to win a few more games, to pack a few more seats.
In February 2006, under Isiah Thomas, the Knicks acquired Steve Francis from the Orlando Magic for 20-year-old Trevor Ariza and the expiring contract of an aging, injured Penny Hardaway. Francis was 29, averaging a career-low 16.2 points amid declining athleticism and knee problems, and was still owed roughly $49 million over the following three seasons. He never regained his old form in New York, where injuries limited his effectiveness, and was traded little more than a year later. The Knicks had traded a younger asset in Ariza for a famous name whose best basketball had already been played.
Four years later, Donnie Walsh made a different calculation with another fading superstar. In February 2010, the Knicks acquired Tracy McGrady and Sergio Rodríguez in a three-team deal with Houston and Sacramento. New York sent Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries to Houston along with a protected 2012 first-round pick and 2011 pick-swap rights, while Larry Hughes went to Sacramento. I, for one, was excited at the prospect of adding the former scoring champ and perennial All-Star, but McGrady was coming off major knee problems and a long absence from the Rockets. It became quickly apparent that he was no longer T-Mac in anything but name.
Truth be told, that deal was more about finance than talent, and McGrady’s enormous expiring contract was the point. Moving Jeffries helped clear more than $9 million in additional cap space and positioned the Knicks to chase LeBron and the much ballyhooed 2010 free-agent class (which also included Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, and Carlos Boozer). McGrady played only 24 games for New York, averaging 9.4 points, but his basketball production was almost incidental to the transaction.
Then came Andrea Bargnani. In July 2013, the Knicks traded Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, a 2016 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2014 and 2017 to Toronto for the former number one overall selection. Bargs was only 27, so he hardly qualified as a graybeard, but the melody line was similar. He was injury-prone, pricey, and several years removed from the promise attached to his draft pedigree. New York nevertheless paid future assets for the possibility that the recognizable name might become the recognizable player again.
He didn’t. Bargs spent two injury-plagued seasons in New York and was gone by 2015. Toronto eventually used the Knicks’ 2016 first-rounder to select Jakob Poeltl, who later became part of the package that brought Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors. (BTW, Leonard turned 35 this summer and is coming off arguably his best season yet. Go figure.)
The history lesson helps explain why this summer’s parade of distinguished thirty-somethings (and one forty-something) might feel eerily familiar. All that makes me appreciate the business acumen of Leon Rose & Co. all the more. The front office didn’t make a big swing for LeBron or Embiid and his shoddy knees when they were building a championship roster. Instead they made a series of shrewd moves and careful decisions, step by step, to bring just the right arrangement of Avengers together.
We’ll see if the aforementioned players on the move this summer will pan out for their new teams. With measured expectations, the odds are favorable. Miami is not paying Klay Thompson to become the gunslinger of 2016. Denver does not need DeRozan to become a 27-point scorer again. Philadelphia certainly is not paying LeBron as though he were 28. These teams don’t need the whole ghost, they just need a respected face to haunt the defense for a few possessions at a time.
Michael Jordan, right, of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket past Jeff Hornacek, left, of the Utah Jazz on June 7 at the United Center in Chicago. The seven-game series is tied at 1-1. (AFP)
The owner of Michael Jordan’s Game 3 1998 NBA Finals jersey has predicted it could fetch a jaw-dropping $100 million — shattering the record for the most expensive piece of game-worn sports memorabilia ever sold.
Sports investor and actor Rob Gough is selling the one-of-a-kind white, game-winning jersey four years after he purchased it, The Post can exclusively reveal.
“I think this will be the first jersey to hit $100 million,” he said.
In Game 3, the Bulls beat the Jazz by 42 points, the record for the biggest blowout in NBA Finals history. AFP via Getty ImagesThe Post revealed the owner of Michael Jordan’s Game 3 1998 NBA Finals jersey is sports investor and actor Rob Gough. Courtesy of Joopiter
Gough went on a “wild treasure hunt” to get his hands on the jersey — from Jordan’s “The Last Dance” season when he won his sixth and final championship with the Chicago Bulls.
The Indiana native said he went on the quest because he always looks “for pieces that sit at the intersection of the greatest athlete, the greatest stage and a defining moment.”
“It’s not like I knew where it was or it was easy to find … this person led to this person, which led to the other person,” he added.
“Unfortunately I never got to the actual owner of the jersey, I got to a middle man who probably made millions of dollars [off the sale].”
Gough, 42, never found out who the original owner was and had to sign an NDA in the deal, so is unable to disclose how much he paid for jersey — which he displayed at his house in Puerto Rico for two years before he put it in a vault to keep it safe.
The jersey was worn by Jordan during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Courtesy of Joopiter
“It’s interesting, because I have a lot of great art. And when people come to the house, they skip right over the art and go right to the jersey,” he said.
“That’s when I realized that this stuff is the new modern art.”
Gough, 42, had the jersey displayed in his home for two years before he put it in a vault. Courtesy of Rob Gough
“You’re a steward of these iconic pieces of history. When I had it in the house, it was tremendous. But when it was in the vault … what’s the point of being a steward of something if you’re not gonna let people see it and enjoy it?” Gough said.
Jordan’s jersey from Game 1 of the ’98 Finals currently holds the record for highest sale at an auction, having fetched $10.1 million in 2022 at Sotheby’s.
“He lost Game 1 … I don’t personally buy games where a guy loses because you’re saying, ‘That jersey on the wall, remember when Michael Jordan lost that game?’ You just don’t say that,” Gough said.
In Game 3, the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz by 42 points, setting the record for the biggest blowout in NBA Finals history.
Gough, who recently purchased the Miami-based World Jai Alai League, made a name for himself in the collectibles industry after buying a rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card for a then-record $5.2 million in 2021.
“No one knows that I actually sold [the card] for eight figures,” he said. “So this [jersey sale] would be the second at-least-eight-figure transaction.”
The avid sports collector, who also owns the jerseys of GOATs like Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky, said he’s unsure if Jordan is following the history-making sale.
“Oh man, I have no idea. I wish I had the guy on speed dial,” he said, laughing.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Koby Brea #14 of the Phoenix Suns sets the play in front of Brooks Barnhizer #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are things in life you’d rather have and not need than need and not have. Jumper cables. A plunger. An alibi? And in the case of a professional basketball organization, two-way contracted players.
If your two-way players are getting substantial minutes with the big league club, something probably went wrong along the way. Injuries would be the most obvious culprit, but you could also add roster additions that didn’t work out, players who didn’t fit within the scheme, or a team that has shifted its focus toward development rather than winning in the present.
The Phoenix Suns are a team that, in recent years, has fully utilized all of its two-way roster spots. As part of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2023, teams were allowed to expand from two two-way contracts to three. Two-way contracts were introduced prior to the 2017–18 season to strengthen player development. Of course, there are restrictions. Players on two-way contracts must have fewer than four years of NBA service time, and each player can be active for a maximum of 50 regular-season NBA games. That means available, not necessarily playing.
This change has also come at a time when the Suns have shifted their strategy regarding the draft. In the past, you could punt second-round picks because you assumed they weren’t going to be part of your future. Now, there is a legitimate developmental path for those players. You can draft them, develop them, and hope they eventually become depth pieces or even rotational players for the big league club.
When you look back at last season, the Suns did make use of their two-way contracted players. Koby Brea and CJ Huntley combined for 124 minutes, while Jamaree Bouyea logged 644 minutes across 46 games. Bouyea joined the Suns on a two-way contract in November before being converted to a regular contract in early March. That is exactly how you want to utilize your feeder system, providing minutes, development, and opportunity to players who can potentially grow into something more.
Now look at this year’s crop of two-way players, and you’ll find two familiar faces. Both Brea and Huntley return under the same premise. Joining them is Pat Spencer, who enters his fourth NBA season and has followed a path similar to Bouyea’s. Spencer signed a two-way deal with the Golden State Warriors before eventually being converted to a regular contract, a pattern that has held in each of the last two seasons. And Golden State needed him. The Warriors were riddled with injuries last season, and Spencer ultimately appeared in 66 games, starting 14.
Now he finds himself with the Phoenix Suns, and the fan base clearly believes he has the best chance of earning meaningful minutes with the big league club. In our latest survey, 78% of the community believes Spencer will see time with the Suns this season.
It’s an interesting outcome to the poll, and I think people voted that way because Pat Spencer feels like the most NBA-ready player of the group. We’ve already seen it from him, and he is easily the most experienced of the Suns’ three two-way contracted players.
What’s interesting about the way Phoenix has structured this group is that each player represents a different archetype. Spencer is a hard-nosed defender at the point guard position. Koby Brea is more of a three-point shooting specialist. CJ Huntley provides size and rebounding while also possessing the ability to stretch the floor as a big.
So while 78% of the community believes Spencer will see the most minutes because he has the most experience, appears the most ready, and brings the most maturity, I think it ultimately depends on where the need comes from. I don’t expect any of these players to come in and materially change the FanDuel over-under win total based purely on their performance. They are fortifications. Something you’d rather have and not need than need and not have. Pat Spencer is a plunger.
If the Suns have issues with their bigs, you bring up CJ Huntley and let him fill some minutes until health is restored. If they need more help shooting the three-point ball, which is something this team could certainly use, Brea might have the easiest path to meaningful minutes. He’s actually the player I voted for. Then there’s Spencer. If Phoenix wants to lean further into its defensive identity, or if injuries hit the guard rotation, he gives them another option with those characteristics.
At the end of the day, it’s a good problem to have because it speaks to the Suns’ strategy around both development and flexibility. They have different types of players waiting in the wings and can adjust as the season throws at them. That’s strategic roster building.
And ideally, that’s where the story ends. Spencer, Brea, and Huntley spend most of the season developing, waiting for opportunities that rarely arrive because the players ahead of them remain healthy and productive. But NBA seasons rarely cooperate that neatly. Injuries happen, needs change, and rotations evolve. When they do, Phoenix has three distinctly different answers waiting. You hope you never need the jumper cables, the alibi, or Pat Spencer. But you’ll be glad they’re there if you do.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 04: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 04, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today is Devin Vassell’s twenty-sixth birthday. What a roller coaster ride for such a young man. In his professional life, he was drafted eleventh overall in 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, his first season was truncated. The team was in disarray, at least by Spurs standards.
The year before Vassell was drafted, the Spurs played their last playoffs. That summer, they drafted Keldon Johnson, now the longest tenured member of the squad. Ever since, they had not had a winning season or played in a playoff game…until 2026. The Spurs went from a 34-48 record in 2025 to a 62-20 record that not only introduced the Spurs draftees to the postseason, it took the team to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Vassell commented during a postgame press conference that he and Johnson had been working toward this for a long time. He referred to KJ as his “brother” as he shared a heartfelt moment about the team making the playoffs.
From the drafting of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Carter Bryant to the addition of veterans De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo through the finding hidden gems Julian Champagnie, David Jones Garcia, and Jordan McLaughlin, the team made a huge leap last season. And Vassell was an integral piece to their success.
When not in season, Vassell hosts a variety of basketball camps both in San Antonio as well as in his home state Georgia. He joined some teammates in visiting Victor Wembanyama this summer, indulging in art and culture while working out and staying sharp.
The ceiling on the Spurs is significantly higher than it has been in years, and after their Finals appearance, the next steps promise to be the most exciting.
Happy birthday, Devin, may all your wished come true this year.
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 06: Anthony Davis #3 and Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks laugh during a timeout in the second quarter against the Boston Celticsat the TD Garden on February 06, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier this week, Klay Thompson’s rocky tenure in Dallas came to an end as he agreed to a buyout with the intention of signing with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers.
It puts an interesting sliding doors moment back into focus with the 2024 offseason. The Lakers aggressively pursued Thompson with LeBron open to taking a pay cut to help the team sign an impact player.
Back in the summer of 2024, Thompson’s representatives had discussions with the Lakers about him winding up there. It would have made sense on several levels. Thompson has deep ties to Los Angeles. He spent much of his childhood in the city and still owns a home there.
But one of the reasons Thompson chose the Mavericks over the Lakers was that he had concerns about Davis’ availability, a source with knowledge of his thinking said.
Obviously, Luka and Thompson only played about two dozen games together before the former was traded. In a bit of irony that ultimately may have proved Thompson right, he and Anthony Davis only played 27 games together across a season-and-a-half due to injuries to the latter.
AD was mostly healthy prior to being traded, playing in 42 of 47 games for the Lakers after playing 76 games the season prior. Lingering doubt has long surrounded AD and his availability, but he was in the healthiest stretch of his time in LA when Thompson opted not to join.
Ultimately, I don’t think the Lakers would have changed anything, given that they landed Luka in this timeline, but that makes it an even more interesting sliding-doors moment. How differently would things have looked for both teams if Klay was donning the purple and gold?
Would Dallas have still looked to trade Luka? Would LA still be the team they secretly negotiated with? It’s a butterfly effect we’ll never know about, but I think Lakers fans are happy with how things played out.
ESPN NBA insider Tim MacMahon indicated this during an episode of “The Hoop Collective Podcast” on Friday, as he said, “Just like Joker [Nikola Jokic] can profess his loyalty to the Nuggets, there’s still going to be teams that are positioned themselves and monitoring that and all that kind of thing. It’s the same thing with Luka Dončić.”
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts on the court during the first half at Barclays Center on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
“[Dončić has] done nothing but express optimism and excitement about the Lakers since he signed that extension,” MacMahon added.
“But it’s not that long term of an extension, and you better believe there’s teams around the league that are looking at that situation and saying, ‘Hey, if this thing goes sideways, we’d sure like to get Luka in the midway through his prime.'”
Granted, this report from MacMahon isn’t anything more than speculation. And the fact that Dončić has indicated his willingness to remain with the Lakers should be seen as a very good sign.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic leaves the InterContinental Hotel for a team dinner on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The dinner was held during the Lakers’ team mini camp. Andrej Tarfila/Shutterstock
But this sentiment from MacMahon makes sense if the Lakers’ season doesn’t go according to plan. If this team gets hit with an injury bug or otherwise doesn’t perform up to its capabilities both this season and in the future, putting Dončić on the trade block to kick-start a full rebuild might be the most likely path forward.
Thankfully, Lakers fans don’t have to worry about this potential future scenario quite yet. But it’s a story that will be worth following once the upcoming NBA season tips off.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: The sneakers worn by Maozinha Pereira #45 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 16, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The free agent market is thinning out, but there are still three very interesting names still unsigned. While two of them are restricted free agents, there are plenty of questions surrounding them now. Let's get into where things stand with Jalen Duren, Jonathan Kuminga and Bennedict Mathurin.
Jalen Duren (restricted)
Detroit is trying to walk a fine line with Jalen Duren: Save money but keep the All-NBA big man happy and in the Motor City. So far, it has not gone well, and the question becomes, will it backfire?
So far, negotiations between the sides have been "noxious," as one league source put it to NBC Sports. ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill put it this way recently on "The Hoop Collective" podcast: "There's certain things that a player should not have to hear. You know what I mean? There's certain things that a player does not have to hear when the messaging comes back about why you're not getting what you believe to be your value."
Duren believes he is a max player. While internally the Pistons may think Ausar Thompson is their second most important player (he is also extension-eligible), in practice Duren was the second-best player on a 60-win team last season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while playing elite defense in the paint. He was a first-time All-Star and All-NBA player, a guy who has strong on-court chemistry with Cade Cunningham. This team does not win 60 games last season without him. The All-NBA nod makes Duren eligible for a "Rose rule" contract of up to 30% of this season's salary cap (a max of five years, $287 million), although he will likely be happy with the 25% max of $239 million over five years (what Victor Wembanyama took this summer).
All that ignores the playoffs. When things got physical and intense in the playoffs, Duren was a shell of the guy from the regular season. Duren averaged just 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and had a negative plus/minus for the postseason. By midway through the second-round series against Cleveland, Duren was finding himself benched in key minutes for third-string center Paul Reed, who was much more of a positive impact. Pistons fans were begging for less Duren and more Reed.
Because of that performance, the Pistons reportedly are offering something in the lower $30 million-a-year range. Duren's camp will rightfully push back, noting that is what the Lakers just paid Walker Kessler ($32.5 million a season average), and he hasn't accomplished anything yet. Alperen Sungun got five years, $185 million from Houston a season ago ($37 million a season average), and the Pistons are offering less.
Duren's only other option is to play for the $9.6 million qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next season and give him veto power over any trades. However, that would be a huge risk for Duren. Even at the Pistons' "lowball" offer, that's something in the ballpark of $130 million over four years — that's generational wealth and a lot of money to leave on the table at age 22, risking a severe fluke injury or a bad season that takes money off the table next summer.
The sides have until the start of training camp to figure this out, but the concern is that the bad blood from these negotiations will spill into the season no matter the outcome.
There should be a middle ground. Something for five years in the $190-$200 million range seems fair considering Duren's value but playoff struggles, but we'll see where this lands. And how much bad blood there is when all is said and done.
Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga's options are increasingly limited. With Watson headed to Cleveland, that sign-and-trade destination is off the table for the athletic wing and shrinks his choices.
Two teams are at the table: The Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Which team is in the driver's seat depends on which source one talks to.
Ultimately, Kuminga is stuck because it's highly unlikely he's going to get the money he wants — Atlanta did not pick up his $24.3 million team option and Kuminga initially hoped for a deal in the ballpark, or at least above the mid-level exception. He turned down the Lakers' early offer of two years, $20 million, with a key role on the team to boost his value and a deal that gets him back on the market quickly, but Kuminga reportedly rejected that because he thought it was a lowball. Now, he might be lucky to get that.
The Lakers and Hawks talked sign-and-trade earlier this summer, but those talks stalled out because Atlanta is not looking to add salary (it is only $3.8 million below the luxury tax line, and Kuminga currently counts as zero for them). Or, at least Atlanta is not interested without a quality draft pick as an incentive, and the Lakers would not go there. Also, Atlanta currently has 17 players under contract heading into training camp and needs to shed at least two, not add players.
The Lakers and Hawks are talking sign-and-trade again, with guard Jaden Hardey reportedly in the conversation (he makes $6 million this season), while previously that was Jared Vanderbilt ($12.4 million).
Kuminga's other issue? Any sign-and-trade contract has to be for at least three years. That would lock him into a deal he believes is below his market value for longer than he wants.
"Watch the Wolves in the next couple days... It's still open, there's still a window for the Lakers to do a Kuminga sign-and-trade. A sign-and-trade has to be three years. Now that these other doors are closing, the Timberwolves can close that deal and sign Kuminga."
Kuminga reportedly likes the idea of playing for the Lakers — who would start him at the four — as a better fit.
But is he? Kuminga wants to be a scorer, he's wanted the ball in his hands. In Los Angeles, where Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have the ball, will he fit into the system and play a role? It's the same question in Minnesota. Before you say "of course he will," remember that clash was at the core of his issues with Steve Kerr in Golden State.
Bennedict Mathurin (restricted)
This is a much more complex situation, in part because of the limbo the Clippers are in with the Aspiration investigation ongoing and, with that, the Kawhi Leonard-to-Toronto trade, which is hung up.
Last season, Mathurin showed his potential as a scorer after coming to the Clippers from Indiana in the Ivica Zubac trade, averaging 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the 26 games he played. He also showed his weaknesses, shooting 20.7% from 3-point range, and with nearly as many turnovers as assists.
The Clippers have said they are interested in bringing him back (at a price they like), but their actions have said he is not a priority. If/when the Leonard trade goes through, the Clippers will have 17 contracts on the roster (although Cam Christie's is non-guaranteed), they already have to trade or waive players a couple of players before the season starts, and that is without Mathurin in the fold.
There have been teams poking around a sign-and-trade — Chicago, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Detroit and Dallas have been rumored — but nothing has come of that so far.
Mathurin's best option could be to play for his $8.8 million qualifying offer and become a free agent next offseason. Unlike Duren, Mathurin isn't leaving hundreds of millions on the table doing so, he can prove he deserves more and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. However, that comes with a risk. Playing for the qualifying offer last season worked out for Quentin Grimes (signed for four years, $60 million with the Lakers), but Cam Thomas did as well and is without a contract this season as of now.
Mathurin doesn't have to make that call until Oct. 1, so he can let things play out and then make a call, but that option is on the table.
A former Sacramento Kings employee is suing the organization, alleging pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
Crystal Lee, a former assistant athletic trainer with the Kings from 2022 to 2025, filed the complaint with the Superior Court of California in Sacramento County on Aug. 11, alleging she was treated unfairly and demoted twice after becoming pregnant and giving birth to her son.
Lee's representative, Robert King of King & Siegel LLP, told USA TODAY in a statement that they intend to prove their allegations.
"Crystal Lee broke a barrier that had stood for the entire history of the NBA. The Kings' answer was to tell her she was '(expletive)' for having a baby, demote her twice, hand her job to a man, and fire her the moment she spoke up. A team that sells itself on empowering women owes an explanation," King said. "You don't get to brand yourself as a champion for women and then push out the first athletic trainer in league history to give birth on the job. We intend to prove exactly what happened here."
The Kings denied Lee's allegations and said they intend to defend the organization.
"The Sacramento Kings categorically deny these allegations and reject the characterization of the organization and its workplace reflected in these claims made by a disgruntled former employee," Kings attorney Alexis Gabrielson, a partner at Cook Brown, LLP, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
"The Kings take allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously and are committed to maintaining a workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. The organization intends to vigorously defend against these claims through the legal process and will not comment further on the pending proceedings," Gabrielson added.
The NBA did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY message for comment.
'Your life is ruined after you have kids': Court docs detail claims
Lee made multiple accusations regarding her treatment over three years of employment with the Kings.
According to the lawsuit, Lee informed her supervisor, Senior Director of Athletic Health Jaspreet Randhawa, during the 2022-23 season that she was pregnant to which he allegedly responded by laughing and saying "you're (expletive)."
Court documents allege Randhawa shared his opinion of Lee's pregnancy, telling her "your life is ruined after you have kids." Randhawa allegedly made additional comments, disparaging caretaking obligations more generally and the inconvenience he believed they posed, the lawsuit said.
Lee alleged that Randhawa cultivated a work environment that prioritized an "around the clock" schedule without days off and anyone who couldn't uphold that standard was not worthy of being on the team, the lawsuit stated.
According to the court document, Lee went on maternity leave on May 17, 2023, the day her son was born. She returned from leave a couple of months later in July.
New mother allegedly demoted twice, prevented from traveling
The lawsuit states that one month before Lee began her maternity leave, the Kings decided that she would no longer be able to travel post-pregnancy.
She was "benched" from any Kings road games, leaving travel options to the discretion of the team staff, court documents said. The lawsuit says Lee was prevented from traveling with the team in February 2023. She tended to players during home games only through the end of the season on April 30, 2023.
Lee was not given the opportunity to return to her position as assistant athletic trainer and the team hired a third assistant trainer to replace her, according to the lawsuit.
She was demoted twice, according to court documents. In April 2023, she received her first demotion, the lawsuit states, when Lee was moved to a remote position as an "administrator, health & performance / assistant athletic trainer."
The lawsuit says Lee was told the demotion would only be temporary. When she requested to resume her duties, including travel, Randhawa and head athletic trainer Joel Noland told her they did not need her, and instead she was replaced by the latest hire, the court document states.
The second demotion occurred in September 2024 when her "athletic trainer" title and Lee's duties were removed, according to court documents.
Kings basketball operations personnel mentioned in lawsuit
Lee's allegations went beyond the team's athletic health department. According to the lawsuit, members of the Kings basketball operations were also included in her claims alleging retaliation, sexual harassment and discrimination.
The lawsuit mentions the following but doesn't name them as defendants: Kings former assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, current general manager Scott Perry, Vice President of Player Personnel Phil Jabour, head coach Doug Christie and former intern Cameron Brown, the son of former Kings coach Mike Brown.
Wilcox is mentioned after another athletic trainer voiced concerns of Randhawa's managing style, to which he responded, "whatever (he) says is what we do," the lawsuit alleges.
Jabour was named in the lawsuit after Lee said she met with him and Randhawa on April 18, 2025, to discuss career development opportunities upcoming in the offseason. Lee voiced concerns to both during the meeting that she was being "excluded and stripped of her athletic training responsibilities because she had a child," the lawsuit stated.
Court documents allege that Jabour did not respond to Lee's complaints or her concerns of discrimination, but instead told her there was "no space" to have a hands-on role with the Kings, as an athletic trainer. Jabour offered to transfer Lee to another team, according to the lawsuit, which said Lee was offered opportunities to work for several teams including the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
According to the lawsuit, Lee allegedly voiced her concerns to Perry and the court document claims that he responded saying "complainers will not be tolerated" and that he would "fire everybody" if complaints persisted.
The lawsuit alleged sexual harassment claims involving Christie and Brown. Lee claimed in the lawsuit that Christie made sexual glances at her. Court documents allege that Christie would conclude the encounter by saying "don't report me to HR."
The lawsuit alleges that Brown repeatedly harassed Lee with invitations to hang out outside of work, to which Lee declined or at times, ignored.
Lawsuit: Lee went to HR before being fired
Lee took her complaints to Kings Senior Vice President of Human Resources Stacy Wegzyn to share her fear of retaliation, according to the lawsuit, and Wegzyn took Lee's concerns to Perry, the Kings GM.
Lee met with Perry and Wegzyn on June 12, 2025 when she was subsequently fired. According to Wegzyn, the reason for Lee's termination was failure to meet performance expectations, the lawsuit states. Lee claims none of her pregnancy discrimination concerns were addressed or investigated.
Lee alleges that the entire incident has prevented her from other opportunities. According to the lawsuit, she interviewed with a National Women's Soccer League club but did not receive a call back when she explained her tenure with the Kings.
Lee requested a jury trial and seeks unspecified damages.
Lakers fans will sometimes go to absurd lengths to show their devotion. And it appears that Slovenian Lakers fans are willing to get wet for their squad.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on March 16, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Lakers took a boat along a canal in Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana, which attracted a ton of young fans. At one point, someone in the Lakers’ boat (potentially forward Jarred Vanderbilt) threw a jersey to these fans, which landed in the water.
It’s unclear what the T-shirt exactly was. What’s for sure is that Dončić, who had a front-row seat for the crazed fan’s rival jump, was dumbfounded by the lengths the kid was willing to go to get that merch.
For what it’s worth, the Ljubljanica river and canals are viewed as clean and safe enough for boating and paddleboarding, but it’s advised that people don’t swim in the water.
Clearly this Dončić fan was willing to throw caution to the wind for whatever this T-shirt was.
Luka Doncic watching a Los Angeles Lakers fan jumping into a river for a shirt.
And even if it isn’t worth anything, that fan will have a great story (and video) to share for the rest of his life.
Inglewood, CA - April 15: Forward Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoots a freethrow against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of a NBA play-in tournament basketball game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Kawhi Leonard trade saga has left the Toronto Raptors in limbo, with the proposed deal currently on hold as the NBA investigates the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto and Los Angeles agreed to a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard, but the Raptors are waiting for the league to finish its investigation before moving forward.
That is a massive price to pay for any player, and especially for a 35-year-old Leonard. But if the investigation is resolved and this trade eventually goes through, the Raptors can’t afford to treat it as anything less than a championship-or-bust move. I believe that if you’re willing to give up that much to bring Leonard back to Toronto, you better be ready to go all in
The Raptors are NOT getting 2019 Kawhi back .
The biggest thing the Raptors need to understand is that this isn’t the same Kawhi Leonard who led them to a championship in 2019. That version of Leonard was 27 years old and in his prime, coming off a season in which he averaged 26.6 points per game before turning it up another level in the playoffs. Seven years later, Leonard is 35 and has considerably more mileage on his body. That doesn’t mean he isn’t still an elite player, he averaged 27.9 points per game last season and showed that he can still take over games, but you can not expect him to recreate what he did in 2019, that would be foolish. Toronto isn’t getting a time machine. It’s getting an older, still-great version of Kawhi, and that distinction matters when you’re giving up this much to acquire him. I think that despite his age, he can still make a massive impact on this team and compliments some of the younger talent. If Leonard is the player Toronto is betting on, the timeline suddenly becomes much more important. The Raptors can’t make this trade and then spend the next two or three seasons patiently waiting for their young players to develop. By then, Kawhi will be pushing 40. If the goal is another championship, the time to chase it is now.
The trade package means Toronto can’t settle for mediocrity
If you look at what Toronto is reportedly giving up for Leonard: Ingram, Dick, multiple future draft picks and a pick swap. That’s a significant chunk of the Raptors’ present and future, all for a player who could have a relatively short window left at the top of his game. If Toronto gives up that kind of package and ends up as nothing more than a solid team, what exactly was the point? The Raptors aren’t making this trade to raise their floor. They’re making it to raise their ceiling, and that ceiling has to be a championship or else I feel that they would be destroying their future. There is a huge difference between being a team that can compete and being a team that can win it all. After making this trade, Toronto can’t be satisfied with simply being competitive. If you’re willing to sacrifice this much of your future for Leonard, you better be willing to sacrifice even more to make sure the roster around him is good enough to win four playoff series.
If you’re going to make this trade, you have to continue building the roster
If the Raptors are going to make this trade, they can’t expect Kawhi Leonard to suddenly turn the existing roster into a championship team by himself. Toronto needs to look at the roster and be honest about what it still needs to compete with the best teams in the NBA. More shooting, reliable depth and players who can contribute in the playoffs should all be on the table. The Raptors have already shown they’re willing to sacrifice a significant part of their future to bring Leonard back. Now, they need to make sure the roster around him is good enough to justify that gamble.
This is where going “all-in” actually matters. If there is another move that can make this team better, Toronto shouldn’t be afraid to make it. If there’s a veteran who can help in the playoffs, go get him. If the roster needs more shooting, find it. The goal shouldn’t be to protect every remaining asset just because the Raptors have already given up so much. The whole point of making this trade is to win now, so build a team capable of doing exactly that.
As a Raptors fan, I’ll be honest: I’m pumped. I’ll always be grateful for what Kawhi Leonard did for this franchise in 2019, and the idea of seeing him back in Toronto is exciting. As a realist, though, the trade package concerns me. That’s a lot to give up for a 35-year-old, but at the same time, there aren’t many 35-year-olds in the league like Kawhi Leonard. That’s what makes this such a fascinating gamble. This isn’t the same Kawhi who brought the Raptors their first championship, but he’s still capable of being one of the best players on the floor when he’s healthy. That’s why, if the investigation clears the way and Kawhi officially becomes a Raptor again, Toronto can’t stop there. The trade package is too significant, and the window is too short. Build the roster, make the necessary moves and see just how far this team can go. For now, though, all Raptors fans can do is hope the investigation gets cleared up, Kawhi makes his way back to Toronto, and then see what happens.
