Clippers 'frustrated' and 'upset' with Kawhi Leonard because NBA let him off with just a $700,000 fine?

Toronto Raptors may make a major move for Kawhi Leonard this offseason, but the financial risks could climb rapidly depending on how much the all-star guard can play. According to analyses from Casino.org, the hypothetical signing emerges as the most precarious transaction of the NBA offseason. The model projects Leonard's availability for just 59.5 games, leaving 22.5 potential absences throughout the season.

Those missed contests would add $13.8 million in unavailable salary to Toronto's books, equating to $613,000 for each game the superstar sits out. In return for Leonard, the Raptors would trade Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round selections, one first-round swap, and two second-round draft picks. This would increase their annual payroll by roughly $5.3 million.

Despite the considerable financial commitment, Casino.org estimates Kawhi Leonard would still deliver substantial projected value. The analysis estimates Leonard's presence would increase Toronto's net performance by 5.6 points per game and generate an additional 5.1 wins during the first 30 games of the season. This equates to around $1.04 million in new payroll for every projected win.

Comparing the deal to Philadelphia's recent acquisition of Jaylen Brown, Casino.org highlights the stark financial difference. Brown is projected to add 8.1 wins while raising the 76ers' payroll by about $3.4 million, resulting in a cost of approximately $420,000 per added victory. In contrast, Toronto would be spending almost two and a half times as much for each projected win while receiving only 63% of Philadelphia's expected on-court boost.

The study concludes that while Toronto could still see a positive return in the short term, the primary concern revolves around the financial stakes tied to Leonard's availability. Leonard's age, injury history, contract status, and the massive outgoing package all contribute to this proposal ranking at the top of the buyer's remorse list in the analysis.

The upside, however, is clearly evident in Leonard's performance projections, alongside the warning signaled by the $613,000 figure.