NBA Notes: Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Cavs, camp battle, Knicks

Raptors

The Raptors gave Kawhi Leonard plenty of security with his new extension. Leonard gave Toronto something valuable in return.

Leonard’s two-year, $115 million extension came in roughly $11 million below the maximum available to him. That represents approximately $5.5 million in additional flexibility during each season of the deal.

In the NBA’s apron era, that is not an insignificant discount. The savings could help Toronto sign another rotation player or address a weakness around Leonard, Scottie Barnes and the rest of its core, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet detailed.

Leonard also waived a trade kicker worth approximately $7.5 million to help facilitate his return.

The Raptors made their own concession by giving the 35-year-old a fully guaranteed contract with a player option for 2028-29. That protects Leonard if injuries or age diminish his market while allowing him to opt out if he remains an elite player.

One prominent agent told Sportsnet the player option made the agreement a clear victory for Leonard. It could eventually help Toronto, too.

If the Raptors remain contenders entering 2028-29, Leonard could theoretically decline the option and sign another multiyear contract at a lower annual salary. That would create more spending room, similar to the arrangement James Harden reached with the Cavaliers this summer.

That scenario remains hypothetical. The immediate calculation is simpler: Toronto secured an All-NBA forward for two additional seasons, received a meaningful discount and accepted the injury risk that comes with doing business with Leonard.

Cavaliers

The Cavs know James Harden and Donovan Mitchell will control most of their backcourt minutes. Their bigger training camp question is who plays behind them.

Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor and rookie Meleek Thomas are expected to compete for the backup point guard role, as outlined by Mack Perry of Cavs On SI.

Porter offers the most experience as a primary ball-handler and may receive the first opportunity. His ability to earn a lasting role could depend upon whether he becomes a more willing and reliable outside shooter.

Proctor gives Cleveland more size, defense and off-ball shooting. He also showed some promise creating out of pick-and-roll situations last season, producing 0.94 points per possession as the ball-handler.

Thomas is the wild card. The rookie may already be the most naturally gifted scorer of the group. He shot 50 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc during Summer League, although the sample was limited. His path to the job will depend upon his progress as a facilitator and defender.

The winner will not need to run Cleveland’s offense for long stretches. He will need to provide competent minutes without forcing coach Kenny Atkinson to overwork Harden and Mitchell throughout the regular season.

Knicks

The Knicks enter camp with questions surrounding Jalen Brunson’s surgically repaired wrist, their final roster spot and the unsigned status of second-round pick Tyler Nickel.

Nickel, selected No. 47 overall, is one of the few 2026 draft picks who has yet to sign an NBA contract.

A federal ruling could grant him a fifth season of college eligibility. If upheld, Nickel might be able to earn more through an NIL agreement than he would on an NBA two-way contract, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. That could pressure New York to find room for him on the standard roster.

The Knicks currently have five veterans competing for what is expected to be one available job: Bruce Brown, John Konchar, Ochai Agbaji, Drew Eubanks and James Wiseman.

Unless New York abandons its plan to remain below the second tax apron or passes on all five veterans, giving Nickel a standard contract likely would require a trade.

Edwards identified Miles McBride and Pacome Dadiet as the most logical trade candidates, though he would be surprised if McBride were moved before opening night.

That leaves New York with a decision involving more than the final roster spot. The Knicks must determine whether retaining Nickel is worth disrupting a championship rotation or sacrificing another young player.