The past few years Canadian sports networks had sort of given me the impression that DeRozen is among the league's elite... now they're reacting like the Raptors ripped out an 8-track and put in a DVD player.
So if Kawhi decides he doesn't like playing in Toronto and moves along after this season, does that leave the Raptors in deep trouble? Do they have a way of replacing Leonard if he leaves? Do star players move around much in basketball?
-k
Demar is good in the Regular season, but has consistently under-performed in the playoffs. At somepoint you have to see if you can win, or try something different.
I suspect Kawhi will leave after this season and try to play with Lebron in LA. If that happens the Raptors have just bought themselves a boat load of cap room, as they don't have Demar's contract either. Give it another year and Ibaka and Lowry's contracts come off the books.
Often rebuilds are hampered by albatross contracts. If the Raptors choose to rebuild, they'll still have plenty of young talent and a boat load of cap room to try and attract free agents.
But for the time being, they've vastly improved themselves for the 2018/19 season. I, myself, was getting tired of this core that teases you in the regular season, and then under-performs in the playoffs. If Kawhi is anything like he has been, this could be the best Raptors team ever, if only for just one year.
Would any Jays fan give back that season with David Price? Sports success if fleeting.