Raptors may trade Kevin Durant with a Kawhi Leonard-like move

According to the latest article by US sports media F/W reporter Vishvisha Kumar. The Raptors are considering a transfer to Durant – a contrast to the 2018 approach to Leonard. According to NBA insider Stan, Toronto is one of the teams “willing to gamble on Durant”, although his contract is worth about $55 million a year.

"What you hear about Durant now, some teams are saying that we know he has only one year left for a contract, about 55 million. We're willing to gamble on him. The Toronto Raptors are one of them. The Raptors have done it. They've bet on a Hall of Fame forward who has one year left on his contract, traded Leonard, won a championship, but lost Leonard very quickly." The

Kayey's deal became one of the most iconic moves in modern NBA history. At that time, the Raptors were an elite regular season team, but they performed poorly in the playoffs and met James many times in the East. The Raptors shocked the league when they sent DeRozan to the Spurs in exchange for Leonard. But the result is undeniable: a champion.

This time, the situation is a little different. The Raptors aren't a team ready to make the Finals right now, but they may be closer than they seem. The team has caused a sensation in mid-season trading Yingge. Barnes continues to bloom as a star, and the duo of Barrett and Quickley provides a backfield shock to Toronto. If management is willing to package one or more of these assets, Durant’s deal may be within reach.

Of course, according to multiple reports, the Wolves are now considered the leader in signing Durant. A week ago, it was believed that the Spurs had reached a handshake agreement with Durant, but that momentum had changed rapidly. Charania confirmed that the Wolves, Rockets and Heat are the most serious suitors, with Wolves being the most radical. Nonetheless, Toronto’s candidacy should not be denied. Durant’s value is unique – at the age of 36, he remains one of the league’s most destructive scorers, averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from three-pointers. Even though the Suns ended with a disastrous 36-46 record and missed the play-offs, Durant was the only one with the most consistency.

For Toronto, go all out for a year. Even if Durant leaves next summer, they are taking the same risks as Kawhi. They have proven before that they can make this gambling work. The difference now is that their lineup is younger and more flexible. Barnes is the core, Yingge is recognized as an All-Star, and Durant's joining may bring the Raptors back into contender conversations in the open Eastern Conference. The Wolves can pair Durant with Edwards to form a devastating duo. The Rockets can go all out and have many young stars. But none of them did what the Raptors did: use a year of superstars and then win the championship. Durant may be the beginning of the Toronto championship or a big bet. Either way, don't leave the Raptors out, they've played this hand before and know how to use it to win.