The Toronto Raptors took the biggest gamble of this offseason, trading franchise pillar DeMar DeRozan and prospect center Jakob Poeltl for estranged star Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors did so without any clarity on the state of his injured quad or his intentions beyond this season, which made it a rather risky play for a team that has been two LeBron James blockades away from going further in the postseason.

The Raptors have two missions — the first, ensuring Leonard is right and ready to play. The second? Somehow convincing him Toronto is the place to stay, knowing the Los Angeles Lakers are awaiting his services.

per David Aldridge of NBA.com:

“The Raptors certainly want to try and convince Leonard to stay, and they have a story to tell — about their team, their organization, and their city/country that is unique among NBA franchises. Maybe Leonard and Kyle Lowry hit it off off the floor the way Lowry and DeMar DeRozan did. Maybe Toronto’s legendary Director of Sports Science, Alex McKechnie — who has worked wonders with NBA players for two-plus decades -—gets in front of him and finds something that works to rapidly improve Leonard’s quad.”

McKechnie's advanced methodology has fixed plenty of NBA careers, dating back to his time with the Lakers, according to ESPN anchor Mark Jones — and barring any impasse with his camp — he should be able to work his magic if something is still wrong with Kawhi's quad.

Leonard's often-quiet demeanor makes him a rather hard read, whether it is personally or professionally — so to get him to open up the way they need him to in hopes to get a vote of confidence, they might need another specialist to bring that out of him.