7 years! Waited a full 7 years! Report: Raptors interested in trading for Leonard

What? What?

The Raptors and Leonard are both interested in a reunion after seven years...

Reporter Jake Weinbach followed up, saying:Once the Clippers officially put Leonard on the trade block, the Raptors will offer Ingram and draft picks.

Ingram being abandoned again? This guy started all 77 regular-season games for the Raptors last season, averaging 33.8 minutes, contributing 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, with shooting percentages of 47.7%, 38.2%, and 82%; in this year's playoffs, he started all 5 games, averaging 29.6 minutes, getting 12 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, with shooting percentages of 32.8%, 38.5%, and 73.9%.

Fierce in the regular season, hesitant in the playoffs.

The Raptors are currently focused on achieving results and obviously cannot tolerate a player like Ingram. His current contract expires in the summer of 2028, with a total salary of $81.9 million over the next two seasons.

On the other hand, no one knows Leonard's value better than the Raptors. The two parties once lifted the championship trophy together in the 18-19 season. That season, he was arguably the ultimate warrior, averaging 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in the regular season, with field goal percentage of 49.6% and three-point percentage of 37.1%; in the playoffs, he averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals, with field goal percentage of 49% and three-point percentage of 37.9%.

Although Leonard is now a 34-year-old veteran, he still maintains a superstar level on both ends of the floor. Last season with the Clippers, he played 65 regular-season games, averaging 32.1 minutes, exploding for 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals, with shooting percentages of 50.5%, 38.7%, and 89.2%, narrowly missing the 180 club, and was therefore selected to the All-NBA Second Team.

In short, the current Raptors are also loaded with talent. If they really bring back Leonard, they might be able to replicate the success of 2019 and once again reach the summit of the league.

Notably, next season will be a contract year for Leonard with a salary of $50.3 million, and during his 18-19 season with the Raptors, it was also a contract year—a story all too familiar.