[SuperMatt18]

The more I look at this the more I wonder if a flip of Kawhi is in play.

Spurs didn't want to deal him in the West unless it was a complete overpayment - which is where Kawhi preferred to stay.

Raptors got a decent value in the trade since nobody else in the East seemed that interested.

Raptors could now flip Kawhi to the Lakers for a bunch of youth that helps accelerate the "re-build" and keep them as a long term contender with the young Celtics and Sixers cores.

They already have these guys under 25:

Fred VanVleet - 24
Siakam - 24
Anunoby - 21
Powell - 25

So if you could add 2 of Lonzo (21), Ingram (21), Hart (23), and Kuzma (23) to that group you will have a good young core, and then some cap space to try to add around them. Could see that being something that the Raptors could be thinking about.