A potential blockbuster trade target for Dubas if the Leafs want to go the ''Kawhi Leonard'' route
Just after the Leafs were eliminated, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote that this off season may have to be the year that Leafs GM Kyle Dubas does something drastic, referencing the "Summer of Kawhi". What Friedge was referring to was the 2018 NBA off-season. The Raptors had floundered in the playoffs for several years running. So Raptors President Masai Ujiri traded the Raptors franchise player, DeMar DeRozan, for Kawhi Leonard. Leonard was one of the truly elite players in the NBA, but was disgruntled by his team and plagued by injury. It was a massive risk, but Leonard led the Raptors to their first NBA title that very season. For Dubas to do the same, he would have to make a very big splash in the trade maket, and with his job potentially on the line, it will have to be the right splash.
One player that might make sense in this scenario would be Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko. "Tank" is a proven playoff performer who is very unlikely to sign an extension with the Blues after requesting a trade before the season began. He put up 82 points in 75 games this season, after losing most of last season to injury, and so far has 6 points in 8 playoff games. Make no mistake about it, Tarasenko would be a massive addition the the Maple Leafs' top-6.
Going the other way, the easiest answer would be William Nylander. The young Swede had a career year this season, scoring 80 points over 82 games and 7 points in 7 playoff games. What seems like a lateral move by the numbers could be just the shake up the Leafs need. Nylander's critics made sure to note how disengaged he looked at times this season, including several times in the Leafs-Lightning series. If one of the core 4 forwards is to be traded this summer, Nylander is the one that makes the most sense. Of course, since Nylander is younger and has term remaining, the Blues would likely have to add an additional piece or two or retain some salary for balancing purposes.
As for how the deal would look, Tarasenko has one year remaining at $7.5 million against the salary cap and will be 31 by the halfway point of next season. It's not likely the Leafs would re-sign him after his contract expires, but if they have some available cap space and the fit is right, they could attempt to re-sign him, as the Raptors did with Kawhi Leonard, though they ultimately came up short. Nylander has 2 years left at $6.9 million against the cap. The extra year of control could be enticing for the Blues if they are looking to extend their window. It would also give the Leafs more bargaining power, Dubas could demand picks, prospects, a depth player or even salary retention on top of Tarasenko for Nylander.
It seems realistic enough that a deal could at least be explored before the start of next season. I like William Nylander as a player and as a Leaf, but to add a player with the ability and tenacity of Tarasenko is enticing enough that I would definitely entertain the idea. He may not be a direct comparable to Kawhi Leonard, but he's likely as close as the Leafs will be able to get on the trade market.
| POLL | ||
MAI 18 | 1175 ANSWERS A potential blockbuster trade target for Dubas if the Leafs want to go the ''Kawhi Leonard'' route Should the Leafs explore a possible Nylander for Tarasenko+ trade? | ||
| Yes | 543 | 46.2 % |
| No | 451 | 38.4 % |
| It will never happen | 181 | 15.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
