It's no secret that the Kawhi Leonard is set to be free agent this summer. Everyone and their dog knows that. Everyone also knows that the Toronto Raptors are going to do whatever they can to re-sign Leonard.
But let's forget about Leonard for a second and focus on another free agent that the Raptors absolutely need to re-sign: Danny Green.
Green came over with Leonard in the blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs last summer, and while he was essentially the forgotten man in the deal, his impact on Toronto this season cannot be understated.
The 31-year-old had an outstanding bounce-back year in 2018-19, averaging 10.3 points and four rebounds over 27.7 minutes per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the floor and a career-high 45.5 percent from three-point range. In his final three seasons with the Spurs, Green shot 33.2 percent, 37.9 percent and 36.3 percent from downtown, respectively, a far cry from the regular 40-plus percent efficiency rate he had posted in the four years before that.
But now, it looks like Green's shot is back, and it's not like Green is just a shooter, either. He is also a terrific perimeter defender capable of guarding multiple positions, and while he isn't going to post big steal numbers, he is incredibly adept at harassing ball-handlers and is a terrific off-the-ball defender.
In addition, Green brings leadership qualities that the Raptors desperately needed going into this season, and his championship pedigree along with Leonard's played a pivotal role in Toronto winning the championship.
No, Green didn't exactly have a great playoff run, as he made just 32.8 percent of his triples in the postseason, but his gravity alone opens up the Raptors' offense, and his defensive chops were on full display throughout the entire title journey.
Green is set to enter free agency this summer, and while the Raptors won't exactly have much financial wiggle room if they re-sign Leonard, they own Green's Bird Rights following last summer's trade, which means they can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. It wouldn't be entirely surprising if he took a discount to stay in Toronto, either.
In a league where floor spacing and defensive versatility reigns supreme, Green is a very valuable commodity, even if he is not a guy who can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. Plus, a big reason why Toronto was able to win the championship this season was because of its depth, and it will be paramount for the Raptors to ensure that they maintain that depth this offseason.
Now, obviously, if Leonard leaves, and he very well might, then things change. Green becomes more likely to head out the door, as he will surely become more expensive if Toronto wishes to keep him.
In that case, it would be understandable if the Raptors allowed Green to walk, as they would then have to take whatever cap room they have left over and try and fill the gap left by Leonard. But if Kawhi returns and Toronto hopes to contend for another title next year, then re-signing Green has to be on the Raptors' to-do list.
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