The Toronto Raptors officially bringing Kawhi Leonard back changes more than the Eastern Conference standings. Leonard returning to the franchise he led to a championship in 2019 could also make Toronto significantly more attractive whenever the next star becomes available.
That matters for the Atlanta Hawks because President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh has carefully maintained the flexibility necessary to eventually pursue another major piece alongside Jalen Johnson. Atlanta may have the resources to make that move, but Toronto could now be chasing some of those same opportunities.
The Hawks aren't suddenly at a disadvantage, nor does Leonard guarantee players will prioritize Toronto. However, another Eastern Conference team becoming an appealing destination means Atlanta could face stronger competition when it's finally ready to make its biggest move.
Toronto could compete with Atlanta for the next available star
The Raptors already had an intriguing foundation before Leonard arrived. Scottie Barnes gives Toronto an established young star, while RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Collin Murray-Boyles provide additional talent that could make the roster appealing to another high-level player.
Adding Leonard changes the perception of that core. When healthy, he gives Toronto a proven championship-level player who can become the centerpiece of a postseason run, and pairing another star with Leonard and Barnes could quickly elevate the Raptors' ceiling.
That's where Atlanta should pay attention. The next disgruntled star who requests a trade could view Toronto as a legitimate destination, especially if winning immediately becomes one of the biggest factors behind where that player wants to land.
The competition wouldn't necessarily stop with superstar players, either. Toronto could pursue high-level complementary pieces that Atlanta might also identify as potential upgrades, creating another team capable of driving up the price in negotiations.
More interested teams usually means more leverage for the organization trading the player. Atlanta could therefore find itself needing to make difficult decisions about how much draft capital, young talent or financial flexibility it's willing to sacrifice.
Atlanta still has plenty to offer in its own sales pitch
Toronto becoming more attractive doesn't erase what Saleh has built in Atlanta. Johnson has developed into an All-NBA centerpiece, while the Hawks have assembled the type of defensive personnel capable of supporting another high-level scorer without requiring that player to carry everything.
Atlanta's financial outlook could become another major advantage. Saleh has intentionally avoided restricting the franchise with unnecessary long-term commitments, giving the Hawks multiple avenues to pursue a significant addition when the right opportunity finally emerges.
That flexibility means Atlanta doesn't necessarily have to win a bidding war against Toronto or anyone else. Saleh can remain patient and pursue the player who best complements Johnson rather than overpaying simply because another Eastern Conference contender is interested.
Still, Leonard's return should reinforce why Atlanta can't assume preserving assets automatically guarantees access to the next available star. Building an attractive destination matters just as much as accumulating the resources necessary to complete the transaction.
Toronto now has a compelling pitch centered around Leonard, Barnes and another potential championship run. Atlanta can counter with Johnson, an ascending roster, defensive versatility and enough flexibility to continue improving after making a major acquisition.
Eventually, those two visions could collide on the trade market. When that happens, Saleh's biggest challenge won't simply be finding Atlanta's next star — it could be convincing that player and his team that the Hawks offer the better destination.
Add us as a preferred source on Google