Scottie Barnes believes the Toronto Raptors may change into a much more harmful workforce if Kawhi Leonard returns, joking that including the two-time NBA Finals MVP could be like “attempting to take sweet from a child.”
Talking concerning the blockbuster trade, Barnes stated: “Appears very harmful… We’re attempting to take sweet from a child primarily.”
The deal, agreed to by the Raptors and Clippers on June 30, would reunite Leonard with the franchise he led to its first NBA championship in 2019. Nevertheless, the transaction remains on hold whereas the NBA investigates allegations that the Clippers circumvented salary-cap guidelines via a fraudulent endorsement settlement involving Aspiration. The Clippers have additionally said the commerce can solely proceed if Raptors possession accepts the chance of any potential penalties tied to Leonard’s contract.
If finalized, Toronto would obtain Leonard, whereas the Clippers would purchase Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round choose swap, and second-round choices in 2030 and 2033.
Barnes’ feedback replicate the optimism surrounding what Leonard may add to a Raptors workforce that already made the playoffs final season. Toronto completed 46-36, good for fifth place within the Japanese Convention, earlier than pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven video games within the opening spherical. The Raptors compelled a decisive Recreation 7 after trailing the collection 2-0, however Cleveland closed out the matchup with a 114-102 victory.
Barnes earned his second All-Star choice through the 2025-26 marketing campaign whereas persevering with to determine himself as one of many NBA’s premier two-way forwards. The 24-year-old averaged 18.1 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks throughout 80 video games, capturing 50.7% from the sphere. He additionally completed fifth in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Workforce.
Earlier than being included within the proposed commerce package deal, Brandon Ingram served as Toronto’s main scorer, averaging 21.5 factors, 5.6 rebounds and three.7 assists over 77 video games whereas incomes an All-Star choice. RJ Barrett added 19.3 factors per recreation, and Immanuel Quickley contributed 16.4 factors and 5.9 assists because the Raptors posted a 33-19 convention document.
Leonard, who turned 35 in June, would deliver championship pedigree and elite postseason expertise again to Toronto. Throughout his lone earlier season with the Raptors in 2018-19, he averaged 26.6 factors within the common season earlier than elevating his play within the playoffs, main the franchise to the NBA title and incomes Finals MVP honors.
