NBA Notes: Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Celtics, depth chart, Jazz

Raptors

Kawhi Leonard‘s return has made the Raptors matter again.

That’s essentially how Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun framed the blockbuster reunion, noting that Toronto is back in the NBA conversation in a way it hasn’t been since Leonard led the franchise to the 2019 championship.

And really, that’s the point.

The Raptors were stuck in the middle. Brandon Ingram had value, but not enough to make them a true contender in a loaded Eastern Conference. Leonard changes that, even at 35, even with the obvious injury concerns.

Simmons wrote that Leonard’s body has always been part of the equation, and that won’t change now. But Toronto managed him once before and ended up with a title.

Now the Raptors are betting they can do it again.

With Leonard joining Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and either Jakob Poeltl or Collin Murray-Boyles in the starting group, Toronto suddenly has something it lacked — a proven closer.

That alone puts the Raptors back on the map.

Celtics

The Celtics’ new-look roster is starting to take shape after the stunning Jaylen Brown trade.

As Zack Cox of the Boston Herald noted, Boston now projects to build around Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and new center Mitchell Robinson.

That’s a lot different than the team that entered last season.

George essentially replaces Brown, though availability is the obvious concern. He remains a skilled two-way wing and a more reliable 3-point shooter, but he is 36 and has played more than 60 games just once in the last seven seasons.

Robinson gives Boston much-needed size, rebounding and rim protection after leaving the champion Knicks in free agency.

The Celtics also added veteran guard Mike Conley, while Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and others figure to compete for rotation minutes.

The biggest question, of course, is still Tatum. If he returns to his All-NBA form after last season’s Achilles recovery, Boston could remain dangerous.

If not, the Brown trade will look even riskier.

Jazz

Ace Bailey is trying to become more than just a scorer.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz forward has spent much of the offseason in the weight room while preparing for his second NBA season.

“I’ve been eating and lifting,” Bailey said.

Utah wants Bailey to become a more complete two-way player after he averaged 13.8 points as a rookie. The offensive ability is obvious. The next step is improving defensively, especially for a Jazz team that finished near the bottom of the league in defensive rating.

Jazz assistant Steve Wojciechowski said Summer League will give Bailey a chance to show progress with his fundamentals, decision-making and defensive effort.

Bailey said defense has been a major focus of his workouts.

“In every workout, we start with defense,” he said.

For the Jazz, that’s the right message. They don’t just need Bailey to get bigger.

They need him to become better where the team struggled most.

MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by position