The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off the biggest move of the offseason so far when they traded for Jaylen Brown, but there were actually very little linkages which connected both camps prior to that deal. Instead, the franchise was linked to some other superstars, one of which was Kawhi Leonard, who ended up getting traded by the Clippers to the Raptors instead.
Well, the 76ers are probably not weeping over that even at the slightest. Aside from the fact that they got Brown anyway, the Leonard trade has not even been officially completed on the Raptors' end. As reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, the blockbuster swap between both teams will not be complete until the NBA's conduct of investigation on the Clippers is finished.
Obviously, there is a clear assumption of risk on Toronto's part. After all, given the delicate nature of the matter under investigation –– one which concerns possible salary cap circumventions –– the Raptors could end up being the ones to shoulder the penalties, if any. Philly would not have wanted any part in that mess.
The 76ers dodged a huge bullet by not pushing through with their Kawhi Leonard trade pursuit
Toronto is willing to assume any and all risks attendant with the potential outcome of the Kawhi and Clippers investigation, but Philadelphia is not the kind of team that can afford to dip its fingers into the vast unknown. The 76ers have real championship aspirations, whereas the Raptors remain in a state of flux despite getting Leonard back.
Leonard had a splendid campaign this past season, nearly singlehandedly carrying the Clippers into the playoffs despite starting their regular season slate with a putrid 6-21 win-loss card. But as great of a player as the two-time Finals MVP is, his situation is way too nebulous for the 76ers to count on it as their all-in gambit. The uncertainty as to what kind of penalty the league could impose –– such as an outright, long suspension –– also operates against the viability of a hypothetical trade.
Fortunately, the 76ers decided to do away with their previous trade pursuit for Kawhi. Daryl Morey and his crew registered strong interest in striking a deal for him, but the new-look front office led by Mike Gansey seems to have made a stark segue from that thought piece. Now, it definitely paid off.
Ultimately, the 76ers ended up with a much more secure and scot-free situation with Jaylen Brown. While Kawhi Leonard would have been a hell of an addition as well, the team simply cannot stomach another bout with uncertainty, especially one as delicate as the latter's situation.
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