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The Raptors had to watch another Eastern Conference team pull off a trade with much fewer complications than their swing for Kawhi Leonard, which is currently put on hold until the investigation into the Clippers’ alleged salary-cap circumvention is wrapped up. The Hawks got Lu Dort in a three-team deal that also sent Ryan Nembard to Atlanta, saw Zaccharie Risacher move to Dallas, and gave the Thunder three second-round picks.
Lu Dort, who was a starter for a dominant Thunder team, including during their 2025 title run, is a great get for the Hawks. After a mediocre start, the Hawks finished the season on a high note. They finished sixth in the Eastern Conference standings and handed the Knicks two of their three playoff losses. With a championship veteran and 2025 All-Defensive First Team member now on the roster, they can be even more dangerous.
For the Raptors, the move is a harsh reminder of how desperately they need the Kawhi Leonard trade to go through before the start of the season.
Teams around the Raptors are getting better
The Raptors aren’t the only team looking to outplay their 2025-26 results next season. Several teams in the Eastern Conference have made big swings or will be bigger challenges with players returning from injury.
The Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They may not yet have the depth around him and Bam Adebayo to be a serious contender, but they’ll certainly be looking to finish better than tenth in the East. Philadelphia traded Paul George for Jaylen Brown. If Joel Embiid is relatively healthy, the 76ers could be a monster to deal with in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers won just 19 games last season, but they will get Tyrese Haliburton back from injury. They were just in the finals in the 2024-25 season. With him back in the mix, they will be a threat to any team hoping to finish at the top of the standings.
The Pistons, Celtics, and Knicks will still be good as well, and the Cavs may also add LeBron James in free agency.
There’s a lot of talent in the Eastern Conference, and the Raptors need to keep up. With a healthy Kawhi Leonard, they should be a much better team than last season. They could be a top-three defense in the league and an effective offensive team. If the trade falls through, they might take a step back instead of forward and find themselves in the play-in picture.
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This article was originally published on raptorsrapture.com as Hawks’ Lu Dort trade amplifies Raptors’ desperate need for good Kawhi Leonard news.
