Toronto redux, Brown out in Boston

With the Los Angeles Clippers not wanting to give an injury-prone, 35-year-old star a 2-year $126 million contract extension, they traded Kawhi Leonard to the East, the last member of their 2023-2024 Big 3 era that included James Harden and Paul Goerge.   And for the second time in his career, Kawhi was traded to the Toronto Raptors.

Going back, he was drafted 15th overall during the 2011 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers but was traded on draft night to San Antonio where played for 7 seasons.  There he helped the Spurs win their 5th NBA title in 2014, likewise becoming the Finals MVP.

Kawhi was traded to Toronto in 2018 and was instrumental in giving the franchise win their first ever NBA Championship in 2019 and was the Finals MVP, despite a nagging knee injury.  Then the following season, he was dealt to the LA Clippers.

It was reported that Dallas offered PJ Washington, Klay Thompson and picks for him, but it didn’t pan out.  Minnesota and Detroit showed interest, but Kawhi reportedly does not want to be there.

In return, the Clippers received Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and some first-round picks.   LAC had gotten younger, but it didn’t make them better.   Kawhi definitely improved the Raptors but he needs to be healthy especially if they get into the playoffs.

After ten successful seasons in green, a 29-year-old Jaylen Brown is out of Boston and is now relocated to Philadelphia in exchange for a 36-year-old Paul George, two first round picks and two second round picks.

It was more of getting away from his massive contract, of which he is due for a combined $182 million for the next three seasons.   Brown accounts for 35% of Boston’s salary cap, which makes him the seventh highest paid player in the NBA next season behind Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Jason Tatum, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and new teammate Joel Embiid.

On paper, the Sixers had gotten better with Brown on board considering that George had only played 78 games the past two seasons.   This ensures that Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe won’t have to play heavy minutes.

George is not the player he once was, but he has shown that he can still be effective at times.   In 37 games last season, he averaged 17.3 points per game.

With the overpriced salaries, Boston is not saving a significant amount in the deal.   Brown is due $57.1 million this coming season, George for $54.1 million.  $3 million saved matters under the NBA’s new salary cap/luxury tax system.