Kawhi Leonard Solved One Raptors Problem—Who Fixes the Rest?

Second installments rarely surpass the original, and eclipsing Kawhi Leonard’s initial run in Toronto—which culminated in the franchise’s maiden league title—presents a massive challenge. Back in 2018-19, that veteran-heavy squad boasted five consecutive postseason appearances prior to Leonard’s arrival. By contrast, the current iteration of the team is a youthful roster with only a single postseason run under its belt.

Nonetheless, the ultimate objective has not shifted: capturing a title. Bringing Leonard back into the mix enhances Toronto’s prospects of achieving this by addressing a glaring vulnerability. During last year’s postseason opening round, the team converted a mere 34.5% of their pick-and-roll plays and just 32.4% of their isolation attempts. According to Synergy Sports, both metrics were among the lowest of any playoff contender, and their efficiency was equally disappointing throughout the regular season.

Now seven seasons past his legendary quadruple-bounce game-winner in Philly and his championship MVP run against the Warriors, Leonard remains a premier offensive threat at age 35. Since departing Toronto in 2019, he has led the entire league in playoff isolation scoring efficiency. Granted, durability issues limited him to finishing only three of those seven campaigns with the Clippers. Yet, whenever he is active, his squad is a legitimate threat. This impact explains why the Raptors surrendered a massive haul to reacquire him—parting with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, a pair of unprotected first-round draft picks, a first-round swap, and two second-round choices—before securing him with a two-year, $115 million extension.

This acquisition stands to benefit Scottie Barnes more than anyone else, providing him with a superstar partner who aligns perfectly with his versatile skillset. While Barnes remains a primary playmaker, he can now also set blocks for Leonard, attack the glass, or make off-ball cuts. Barnes’ unique value lies in his multi-faceted game, and sharing the floor with Leonard will liberate him to impact every facet of play without carrying the primary scoring burden.

Leonard resolves the roster’s primary offensive deficiency without forcing Toronto to sacrifice the defensive identity that kept them competitive. Last year, the Raptors secured the fifth-best defensive rating in the league with a flexible, high-pressure approach. Though Leonard may no longer be at his absolute defensive peak, he remains a highly capable defender, and he is now surrounded by highly intense, physical competitors on this roster.

Despite this upgrade, Toronto occupies only the 10th spot in my Preseason Power Rankings. The reason? The roster still features two major weaknesses that the 2019 title-winning squad successfully addressed. To replicate that magical run and secure a title in Leonard’s first year back, management must make further adjustments.

Which player will step into the Danny Green role for Toronto?

When the Raptors struck a deal with San Antonio in 2018, Leonard wasn’t the only addition; Danny Green was also part of the trade and became an indispensable asset to their championship pursuit. During Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Green hit six three-pointers, including a crucial trio late in the third period. Early in the final frame, he ran down Quinn Cook to deny a layup and preserve Toronto’s lead. This type of high-level, two-way contribution is precisely what the current squad lacks.

Last season, the Raptors hit just 35.4% of their perimeter shots, placing them 21st in the league, while finishing 26th in overall attempts. Leonard’s presence helps mitigate this, as he connects on 41.8% of his catch-and-shoot opportunities, allowing him to stretch the floor while Barnes or RJ Barrett create offense. However, a glance at the rest of the roster reveals deeper concerns:

Aside from Leonard, the team boasts only three dependable floor-spacers: Immanuel Quickley, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamison Battle. Battle demonstrated solid rotation potential last season, Walter exhibits classic 3-and-D traits, and Quickley’s comeback from a hamstring strain that sidelined him against Cleveland will be a massive boost. First-year player Allen Graves might offer some perimeter threat, though his collegiate efficiency came on limited volume.

Assuming Leonard, Barnes, and Barrett comprise the core of the crunch-time lineup, the coaching staff needs two reliable shooters to round out the unit. Quickley seems poised to claim one slot, but the final position remains a question mark, depending on the team’s tactical approach.

Utilizing Walter or guards like Jamal Shead and Alijah Martin results in an undersized lineup. While Collin Murray-Boyles could potentially slide into a small-ball center role due to his Draymond Green-esque defensive instincts, he must elevate both the frequency and accuracy of his outside shot. Conversely, if the Raptors opt for a traditional big lineup, Jakob Poeltl represents their only true center option.

However, Poeltl offers zero perimeter threat; his strengths lie in setting heavy blocks, crashing the boards, and scoring close to the basket. While these are useful attributes, his inability to stretch the floor clogs lanes for the stars. Consequently, Toronto must seek a frontcourt alternative who can provide floor spacing while preserving interior size.

Who can replicate Marc Gasol’s presence for Toronto?

Back in early February 2019, while holding the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the front office pulled off a bold trade to bring in Marc Gasol from Memphis. It was a masterstroke; Gasol’s ability to stretch the floor, facilitate from the high post, and anchor the paint—either solo or next to Serge Ibaka—gave the team unmatched versatility. Toronto bullied opponents physically throughout that postseason run, establishing a dominant identity that secured the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Ever since the departures of Gasol and Ibaka, the center spot has remained a persistent vulnerability for Toronto. This issue is magnified by Poeltl’s recent back troubles, which limited his effectiveness and made his four-year, $104 million contract look highly questionable. Even at full health, committing that much cap space to a non-shooting center who lacks explosive lob-catching ability can severely hinder a franchise’s championship aspirations.

Franchises rarely part with rim-protecting, floor-spacing big men. Nevertheless, the front office should explore potential deals, such as reaching out to the Bucks regarding Myles Turner, inquiring with the Warriors about Kristaps Porziņģis, or contacting the Grizzlies about Isaiah Stewart. Additional alternatives might include Kel’el Ware of the Bucks, Moe Wagner of the Nets, or Mo Bamba of the Jazz. Admittedly, the market is incredibly thin, as modern players with Gasol’s specific skillset are rare gems.

Despite the steep price paid for Leonard, Toronto retains an unprotected 2029 first-rounder alongside swap rights in 2027, 2028, 2030, and 2032. While their draft cupboard is thinning, they possess just enough draft capital to facilitate another transaction, with Poeltl’s $19.5 million contract serving as an ideal salary-matching tool in any potential trade.

What happens if a trade fails to materialize?

It is entirely possible that no impact trade becomes available. In that scenario, Toronto would likely rely heavily on the small-ball units they experimented with last season: featuring Murray-Boyles at the five, flanked by Barnes, Leonard, and Barrett on the perimeter, with Quickley orchestrating. This configuration could prove effective, and even with a prime Gasol on the roster, head coach Darko Rajaković should still test these dynamic, smaller lineups.

However, downsizing does not solve the team’s spacing issues, especially given the physical hurdles presented by Eastern Conference rivals. While small-ball offers intriguing flexibility, securing a stretch big would provide the roster with an alternative style of play while directly addressing their perimeter shooting deficit. Ultimately, if Toronto hopes to replicate their past success, bringing Leonard back home must only be the first phase of their rebuilding plan.