Is the championship the end goal for every NBA team and player? 

Some would argue that it has to be. If the championship isn’t the be-all, end-all, what exactly are teams playing for? 

Others feel differently. They’d suggest that “rings culture” minimizes other, also noteworthy accomplishments. For what it’s worth, putting a 45-win team together in the NBA is far from a cakewalk. 

Meanwhile, some organizations feel more championship-focused than others. For example, the Indiana Pacers have often seemed content to stay competitive.

By contrast, the Toronto Raptors got a taste of championship glory in 2018-19, and now they want another one. 

Here’s a deal that aims to get both sides what they want – either now or later.