What is the impact the Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Ja Morant, and LaMelo Ball trades on the rest of the NBA?
Stars have shifted alignment in the NBA's ever-changing landscape, with some of the league's marquee players set to shake up the league on their new teams moving forward.
It hasn't been since 2019, when the likes of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Paul George and Russell Westbrook were traded where we've seen an off-season like this, making it all the more relevant to go through and rank the most league-changing trades.
These rankings will be based on their impact on the league and how they will change the NBA landscape moving forward, rather than on how fair they were to each team.
3The Klaw returns to the North
Toronto Raptors get: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers get: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one pick swap, two second rounds-picks
With a return to the East for Leonard, the Raptors are back to being a real threat in the conference while the Clippers move their franchise player for a fresh start.
The East is as wide open for contention as it has ever been, with the Raptors hoping that bringing back their former Finals MVP will push them over the line. A first-option iso-scorer like Kawhi could just be what the young Raptors need and would complement the two-way game of Scottie Barnes extremely well. Yes, the 7x all-star is 35, but the Raptors see an opportunity for another championship, and why not roll the dice on a player who's already delivered you one and is coming off one of his healthiest, most efficient seasons.
In exchange for this, the Raptors are giving up a young talent in Gradey Dick, a player who barely scratched the rotation late in the season and Brandon Ingram, whose inconsistency and lack of leadership in big games played a factor in the Raptors' early exit in the playoffs. Though the Clippers were also able to gain some valuable first-round picks, which have now set their franchise in a clear direction of a rebuild moving forward.
