Toronto Raptors Receive: G Kyle Lowry, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Fred VanVleet
It wasn’t so long ago that the Raptors made their own history. In this case, it was the good kind.
We’re not talking about a record. The Raptors didn’t do anything unprecedented in 2018-19. They just won an NBA championship.
With that said, the circumstances around their title were unique. The Raptors were built around Kawhi Leonard. They acquired him through a trade with the San Antonio Spurs, and won a title for their efforts.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
Leonard left the club anyway. It’s not as easy to quantify whether a superstar has ever left his team after one title-winning season. It’s harder to define “superstar” than it is “3-0”.
Still, we can’t recall a comparable situation in NBA history. Since he left, the Raptors have been declining.
Does this deal help get them on the right path?