The Kawhi Leonard domino effect is likely to leave plenty of casualties in its wake, among them is center Marc Gasol, the center the Toronto Raptors acquired at the trade deadline that helped bolster them to their first-ever NBA title.
Yet there is no such thing as fair gratitude in the NBA — if Leonard departs, the front office could soon be looking to unload unwanted salary — including Gasol, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
“Toronto would have to pivot in that case and Gasol could be a tool for a deal, as he's in the final year of his deal and will make $25.6 million.”
Other expiring contracts like Kyle Lowry ($34.99 million) and Serge Ibaka ($23.3 million) could be part of that garage sale as well, though they're not as likely to fetch the same interest as a 7-foot-1 banger with a deft touch from the 3-point line and uncanny passing skills.
Gasol no longer has a 15% trade kicker, which was waived in his deal to Toronto, but finding a team willing to soak in $25.6 million will take one particular need — desperation.
While the Raptors could start shopping him right after Leonard leaves (if he does), it will likely take for a team to envision a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs to be willing to trade for him, just like Toronto did last season.
Unfortunately, Kawhi's departure had no Plan B, just a bunch of hefty expiring that could soon be lost for nothing if the franchise can't come close to sniffing its prior glory.
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