Kawhi Leonard returning to Raptors via trade

Terms: the Toronto Raptors get Kawhi Leonard in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap, and two second-round picks.

This is a win-win trade for both teams involved in the deal. The Raptors get a bona fide superstar who can take them over the top. On the other side, the Clippers continue to add younger talent with Gradey Dick and Brandon Ingram, who is seven years younger than Kawhi. Also, LA further solidifies its future with more draft picks.

Toronto has joined the Eastern Conference arms race. The Raptors were already a top-six seed in the East without Kawhi Leonard, who is still one of the 10 best players in the NBA, since he finished the regular season tied for sixth in scoring (27.9 points per game). Kawhi is an immediate upgrade at the small forward spot. More importantly, the Raps didn't have to part ways with Scottie Barnes or RJ Barrett. Kawhi Leonard being on the floor will help those guys elevate their game because they’ll no longer be the focal point of opposing defenses. As long as Toronto can find a solid three-point shooter to come off the bench, then the team should be able to mitigate the loss of Gradey Dick as well. With this acquisition, the Raptors have firmly cemented themselves as a playoff squad and probably one of the five best teams in the East.

With the Kawhi Leonard era in the books, there’s a youth movement going on in Los Angeles. The Clips will likely take a step back, but it’s not far-fetched to think they could be in the mix for a Play-In spot. Honestly, though, fans shouldn’t be focused on the 2026-27 season. They should look beyond that and recognize that the foundation has been laid for this team to become a contender in the West down the line. With Keaton Wagler (19), Darius Garland (26), Benedict Mathurin (24), Brandon Ingram (28), Gradey Dick (22), and a slew of players under the age of 25, the future is bright for this group. Plus, the four additional draft picks will help the Clippers bring in even more young talent. After they get their footing and build some chemistry this coming year, I fully expect this team to be very competitive during the 2027-28 season.

Toronto Raptors' grade: A+

LA Clippers' grade: A-

Robert Williams III gets three-year extension with Trail Blazers

Terms: three years, $44 million

The Portland Trail Blazers continue to build on the foundation they laid last year by bringing back their backup center and one of their best rotational big men. Considering the market for centers is incredibly weak, it makes sense that the Blazers would want to bring back a solid contributor in Williams, who would've likely been poached by another team like the Lakers or Knicks. This move ensures that Portland will stay the course and improve in a top-heavy West, where they won’t be one of the four best teams in the conference, but they should be able to consistently compete for a spot in the postseason.

Some people might not love this move, but there's no reason to feel negatively about it. Former first-round pick Donovan Clingan is clearly the Trail Blazers' starting center, but every team needs a solid backup, and Robert Williams III serves that role perfectly. After dealing with injuries the previous two seasons, Williams appeared in 59 games for Portland last year, averaging 6.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game. That’s the sweet spot for a guy who has experienced injuries when asked to play over 20 minutes a night. Williams will make sure the Trail Blazers can clean up the glass, even when Donovan Clingan is on the bench.

Grade: B

Tim Hardaway Jr. signs one-year deal with Heat

Terms: one year, $6.5 million

This is a brilliant move by Miami. With Tim Hardaway Jr. now in the building, the loss of Norman Powell to the Chicago Bulls is much more palatable. After Powell signed for $45 million, Tim Hardaway Jr. is a steal at $6.5 million. Plus, I like the one-year deal. They can test out Hardaway's fit in Miami for a season and then decide to sign him to something more long-term if he carves out a role for himself in the Heat's lineup.

Norman Powell might have averaged 21.7 points per game last season, but that number would've been much lower this coming year with Giannis Antetokounmpo now in the fold. That's why Tim Hardaway Jr. is an ideal replacement for Powell. He's a career 36.6% three-point shooter who averages 13.7 points per game. That's basically in line with what Powell would've given the Heat during the 2026-27 season. With Bam Adebayo and Giannis manning the frontcourt, Hardaway will have plenty of uncontested three-point attempts in Miami.

Grade: A

Luke Kennard re-signs with Suns for two years

Terms: two years, $13 million

After making a trade for Miles Bridges, the Suns needed to find somebody to make up for Grayson Allen's lost production. After all, Allen was fourth on the team in scoring last year, averaging 16.5 points per game. So they added Luke Kennard, who isn't as dynamic a scorer as Allen, though he is more efficient. In fact, Luke Kennard has the second-highest three-point percentage in the NBA since the start of the 2024-25 season (45.5%).

Though Kennard's production is not as prolific as Allen's, the value of the contract makes this a good signing. Grayson Allen is scheduled to have a cap hit of $37.5 million over the next two years if he opts into his player option during the 2027 off-season. Meanwhile, Kennard's contract only has an average annual value of $6.5 million. And, there's a player option in the second year of the deal, so Phoenix might not have to pay out the entire $13 million. This isn't a move that makes Phoenix better, but it allows them to stay the course and compete for a postseason spot while saving a lot of money, which makes this a good deal.

Grade: B+

Dean Wade agrees to four-year contract with 76ers

Terms: four years, $39 million

There are positive and negative aspects to this deal. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the 76ers "beat out several other contenders" to land Wade. At the same time, Philly is giving almost $10 million a year to a guy who averages 5.3 points per game in the NBA.

Wade will likely play a three-and-D role for the Sixers. He has made 36.1% of his three-point attempts over the last two seasons and was often tasked with defending opponents' best three-point shooters during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade will be the third forward in Philly's rotation after Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. I'm not convinced that he will be a big difference-maker as a scorer, but the fact that he chose Philly over other contenders bumps this grade up a little bit.

Grade: C+

Ousmane Dieng returning to Bucks for three years

Terms: three years, $17.5 million

After the Bucks traded for him in the middle of the season, Ousmane Dieng showed a lot of potential in Milwaukee. His minutes more than doubled when he went from the Thunder to the Bucks, and he made the most of it, increasing his scoring output from 3.7 points per game to 11. He also upped his assist and rebounding numbers. Statistically, he earned this extension.

This is a fascinating signing for the Bucks. The guy was a former lottery pick who was relegated to the bench in Oklahoma City, where his minutes and production fell year after year. Then, he showed out in Milwaukee, and we finally began to understand why he was taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

This is a boom-or-bust deal for the Bucks after they acquired Jaime Jaquez Jr. and drafted Nate Ament. Either Dieng will carve out a role as a rotational player on this team, or the Bucks will have to pay him about $5.8 million annually for him to spend most of his time on the bench. In the short term, he will be the backup small forward, but if Nate Ament develops into the player Milwaukee thinks he can be, then Ousmane Dieng will make almost $6 million a year to not play.

Grade: C+

Keon Ellis lands with Nets on two-year deal

Terms: two years, $18 million

I guess the Nets don't care that they have a million guards. They're probably just happy that a free agent wants to sign with the team.

In all likelihood, Ellis is being brought in to help provide some veteran leadership to the backcourt. He's probably not going to be a prolific producer since he averages 6.6 points per game in the NBA. Moreover, it would be foolish for Brooklyn to give him extensive minutes. The Nets need to find out what they have in Egor Demin and Drake Powell, two 20-year-olds whom they used a pair of first-round picks on just a year ago. If Brooklyn is looking for veteran leadership, there were probably cheaper options available. But if they want Ellis to be a meaningful contributor, then they probably should have gone after somebody more productive.

Grade: C-