When free agency started it appeared that the Toronto Raptors had decided to bring back the same core that had won 59 games last season. The Raptors resigned Fred VanVleet. The rest of the team’s regular rotation remained under contract. A big move seemed unlikely.
Then rumors started to surface that the Raptors were interested in acquiring Kawhi Leonard. Leonard had previously requested a trade out of San Antonio. His preferred destination was said to be the Los Angeles Lakers. However, this did not deter Masai Ujiri.
The Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers were reluctant to give up a member of their young cores in order to acquire Leonard.