Kawhi Leonard's Left Knee is Already Testing the Raptors' $115 Million Gamble
Underdog NBA reported: 'Kahwi Leonard to be re-evaluated in 1 week after completing treatment for left knee swelling.'
Death, taxes, and ’s left knee requiring a vague timeline for re-evaluation. The announced their star forward will be sidelined for at least a week after completing treatment for knee swelling.
An MRI reportedly showed no structural damage, which is the only piece of good news here. But anyone who has followed the NBA for the last decade knows that a one-week timeline for Kawhi is basically a polite suggestion.
The timing is objectively hilarious for anyone who loves sports drama. Leonard is now guaranteed to miss his highly anticipated revenge game against the Los Angeles , the team that just traded him this offseason.
Toronto made a massive bet on the 35-year-old staying on the floor, handing him a $115 million extension. So far, the return on investment is exactly two games played, where he averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and a staggering 3.5 steals while shooting just 32 percent from the floor.
For the betting markets, Kawhi’s absence turns the Raptors into a nightly guessing game. Oddsmakers already struggle to price a 4-3 Toronto squad, and removing a guy who completely changes the defensive geometry only makes their upcoming spreads more volatile.
Fantasy managers who talked themselves into drafting Leonard on a discount are officially entering the bargaining stage of grief. You knew what you were signing up for, but it still hurts when the inevitable happens in week two.
The Raptors now have to navigate a brutal upcoming stretch without their marquee veteran. With road games against the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks on deck, Scottie Barnes is about to see every double-team the Western and Eastern conferences have to offer.