Raptors and Spurs trades : Defining Culture Changes in Two Different Eras
The Rasho Nesterovic and Kawhi Leonard deals helped elevate Toronto basketball to new heights
The Toronto Raptors will begin the 2018–2019 season without Demar Derozan for the first time since 2008. By acquiring disgruntled star Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, Toronto traded away their homegrown All-Star in their pursuit of the NBA Finals.
Much like the trade in the summer of 2006 with the San Antonio Spurs involving Rasho Nesterovic, Toronto is experiencing a shift in their dynamic, identity, and brand of basketball this upcoming season. While the Spurs were consistently dominant during the Tim Duncan era, the Raptors went from rebuilding to winning in 2007, and the 2018–2019 squad is looking to set themselves as contenders coming out of the eastern conference.
This article analyzes these two deals and how in different eras each trade redefined Toronto basketball. The 2006 deal was one of many moves that brought a winning culture to the city, while the 2018 one is meant for the team to go all in despite the huge gamble. With the emerging bench, and a supporting cast of Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Jonas Valanciunas, Team President Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster felt it was the right time to pull the trigger and make a push for the NBA Finals by any means necessary.
1st Trade: June 21st, 2006
Raptors receive: Rasho Nesterovic
Spurs receive: Matt Bonner, Eric Williams, and a 2nd round pick (acquired via Hornets for Aaron Williams)
The details of this transaction pale in comparison to the Leonard-Derozan deal, but it was an important one for the franchise. In 2006, the team was still regrouping after the Vince Carter era, management was shuffling, and Chris Bosh was ready to break out as a franchise cornerstone.
This trade was a necessary depth addition. The Raptors did not have a solid centre, and a slender Bosh was played out of position with Charlie Villanueva the year prior to fill the gap. Nesterovic’s statistics were not spectacular, but he was a reliable option patrolling the paint.
This move was also an indication that then-new general manager Bryan Colangelo was willing to build a winner after tumultuous years as a lottery team. The Bosh-led squad won the franchise’s first division title and made it to the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Along with acquiring Kris Humphries, Jorge Garbajosa, T.J Ford, and Anthony Parker, the team rid itself of failed projects like 2004 draft choice Rafael Araujo and used pieces from the Carter trade to finally make meaningful additions.
The Nesterovic deal cemented a quality team around a blossoming Bosh, and helped develop a winning culture in Toronto. Though not a contender at the time, this team was necessary towards building today’s framework and identity.
2nd Trade: July 18, 2018
Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green
Spurs receive: Demar Derozan, Jakob Poetl, and a 1st Round Pick (top-20 protected in 2019 and becomes two 2nd round picks in 2020)
For years, the Raptors relied on the core of Derozan and Kyle Lowry. They were given the opportunities and the supporting cast to make noise in the eastern conference. In many ways, including a 59-win season and being in first place in their conference, this team met expectations. However, the Raptors continued to fall short of making it to the NBA finals, and after two straight sweeps at the hands of the Lebron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, changes needed to happen. With Lebron heading west to Los Angeles and the shifting dynamics of the eastern conference, a more competitive Toronto swung for the fences. The team did not settle, or rehash last year’s squad with futile hope for different results.
Kawhi Leonard is an established elite talent. He possesses the star pedigree to anchor a franchise and the two-way approach to be a force on both sides of the court. He is a proven winner who has learned from San Antonio’s legends like Duncan and coach Greg Popovich.
The more pressing issue is the urgency to prove these noted accolades once more. He only played nine games last season, had an ugly falling out with the Spurs and he is in a contract year. Leonard cannot have another year like 2017-2018 if he desires a max deal. Coming into the new season, there should be the expectation that he will be more determined to prove his status among the league’s best and that he can thrive outside of Popovich’s system.
In addition to acquiring a worthy franchise player, the trade also manages to fix two glaring issues for the Raptors. Danny Green is overshadowed in this deal, but he is an excellent role player that should have a significant role. Toronto now boasts excellent wing defenders with Leonard, Green, and OG Anunoby. Second, the team now has reliable three point shooters in Lowry, C.J Miles, and Green. This helps them stretch the floor and lessen the load on isolation plays, which were the focus during Derozan’s tenure.
Looking at the risks of the deal, the future is not as bleak as one would expect for the Raptors. If Leonard intends to sign long-term elsewhere next summer, the team is left with two options.
First, the Raptors can stay the course and resign the young, blossoming players. The team can build through the draft and maintain a steady flow of promising young talent as the veteran contracts expire. The team managed to keep Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, Delon Wright, and Fred Van Vleet in their pursuit of Leonard. Jakob Poetl,a solid young project, was traded in the deal, but the bench will quickly absorb his minutes and production.
Second, Toronto can use the newfound cap space to chase marquee players in free agency. This is not as implausible as before, with Toronto proving it can be a winner and a management that is willing to take risks and build.
The trade and its uncertainty will harden the hearts of Derozan loyalists, but management felt that he has reached his peak — that’s business. In basketball terms, the price was fair. The opportunity to acquire a proven winner and arguably a top-five player in Leonard was too hard to pass up for a team desperate to become contenders for the first time in franchise history. Either the Kawhi Leonard era will find longevity in Toronto or a new era will emerge in 2020 for the Raptors.
Final Thoughts
As the Nesterovic deal signified a change towards a winning culture, it was also crucial to setting today’s standard. Toronto is no longer viewed as a small market team lacking the clout to be engaged in blockbuster deals. The team has succeeded beyond its identity of being Carter’s and Bosh’s teams, and the Leonard deal lets the rest of the league know that the Raptors are ready to contend. Rather than play it safe, management bet on itself to not be complacent with division titles and regular season records. With the Derozan era now in the past, there is hope that 2019 will be more successful.
With the season months away and Leonard’s intentions with Toronto a mystery, this trade will continue to be under heavy scrutiny until July 1st, 2019. If Masai and company can convince Leonard to sign long term, that accomplishment would go down as one of the biggest in franchise history. For now, speculation and excitement will precede a decision of that magnitude, and the city and its fans can only watch and see.
