Complete 2018 NBA offseason grades for all 30 teams

Toronto Raptors

Key additions: Kawhi Leonard (trade), Danny Green (trade), Greg Monroe (free agency)

Key subtractions: DeMar DeRozan (trade), Jakob Poeltl (trade)

When it comes to DeMar DeRozan and the unceremonious, downright cold-blooded way the Toronto Raptors shipped him off, it was a disheartening summer for We The North. LeBron James had abdicated his Eastern throne, leaving it wide open for a team that had never been able to get over that hill and finally saw its chance.

However, from a pure talent standpoint, trading DeRozan, his lack of a 3-point shot and his abhorrent defense for Kawhi Leonard is a no-brainer. Leonard is an upgrade on both ends of the floor if fully healthy. He can cover for Kyle Lowry if his playoff disappearing act happens again and he makes Toronto’s top-five defense even more nightmarish.

Considering the Raptors didn’t have to give up someone like OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam, that the first round pick they surrendered is top-20 protected (and converts to two second-rounders if it doesn’t convey), and that they didn’t have to take on Pau Gasol’s deal, this gamble is more than worth it — even if Leonard amounts to a one-year rental.

The Raptors were teetering on the edge of a full-scale roster blowup. Getting rid of the greatest player in franchise player like that will sting the fanbase for a while, but if Leonard is healthy, this is a team capable of challenging Boston for Eastern supremacy, especially with a 3-and-D wing like Danny Green included. Throw in the re-signing of Fred VanVleet and the addition of Greg Monroe to the second unit and the only flaw here is the possibility of the worst-case scenario unfolding, where the Raptors only forestalled a rebuild by a year. Keeping the title window open for at least another year made the Kawhi Leonard trade worth the risk.

Grade: A-