OKC Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors, 2019-20 team preview
The offseason for the Toronto Raptors was like a roller coaster. June 17th the team is riding buses celebrating their first championship surrounded by over three million people. July 6th (19 days later) they are learning Kawhi Leonard is leaving for the Clippers. Subsequently Danny Green, who indicated a desire to return and held off teams awaiting Leonard joined the Lakers.
The six days waiting Leonard’s decision were brutal for Raptors fans. Rumors of Paul George also being shopped to the Raptors are true but Ujiri never took it seriously (he never presented it to the MLSE board) and recognized he/the Raptors were only being used as leverage. (although it does speak to Toronto as the other main option).
Updated: Oklahoma City asked for Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and four unprotected first-round picks as a starting point for Paul George. The Raptors believed they were being used as leverage, and believed Kawhi finally, truly wanted LA. And then he left. https://t.co/47683mDtn2
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 6, 2019
During the season the prevailing theory was Leonard had a few priorities to be met – his health, winning and no drama. Toronto load managed him, won the title and as they are wont to do never leaked anything before or during free agency. In essence, the club did everything they could to meet his needs and it still wasn’t enough – he simply wanted to go home.
After the fact statements made by Ujiri indicated the franchise wasn’t happy about how Kawhi’s “management” handled things (the implication being Uncle Dennis) because if they knew upfront Ujiri would’ve made counter moves during those six days. There was enough trust built between the star and Ujiri that he would’ve kept it quiet but he wasn’t afforded that courtesy. That if anything is the only slight on an otherwise positive Leonard experience. Canadians won’t hold it against Kawhi especially since he brought them a championship.
Ujiri moved forward by signing reclamation projects Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Swooped in to grab undrafted gem Terence Davis and finally got 3-point assassin Matt Thomas to sign after years of recruiting him.
Players Added:
Free Agency:
G: Cameron Payne
G: Matt Thomas
F: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
F: Stanley Johnson
F: Devin Robinson
G: Terence Davis (undrafted rookie)
Trade:
None
Rookies:
F: Dewan Hernandez (No. 59)
Departing Players:
Free Agents:
G/F: Danny Green (signed with Lakers)
F: Kawhi Leonard (signed with Clippers)
G: Jordan Loyd (waived)
G: Jeremy Lin (unrestricted)
G: Jodie Meeks (unrestricted)
F/C: Eric Moreland (unrestricted)
Trade:
None