Green flag in Raptorland

The Kawhi Leonard trade has gone through. How seriously should we take Toronto?

Good morning. Wondering if Steve Ballmer will hang out with Mark Cuban and lament their self-inflicted absences at the governors' meetings this week. Let's basketball.

As was widely predicted, Steve Ballmer's Sunday night announcement that he was accepting his punishment led to quick resolution on the outstanding Kawhi Leonard trade to the Raptors. A refresher: Kawhi heads to Toronto, where he should have an extension announcement soon, while the Clippers pick up Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected firsts, a swap and two seconds. It's a pretty good draft equity haul for Los Angeles all told, and makes Adam Silver's medicine go down a bit easier. The talent is ... what it is. Ingram has a $42 million player option (24% of salary cap) next season; he's not really worth that commitment, but the Clippers do have to pay someone. Dick is entering the final season of his rookie deal. L.A. would be crazy to extend him unless he takes a massively under-market deal, because he hasn't proved anything. So he'll be a restricted free agent next summer in all likelihood.

How much will Kawhi's arrival upgrade Toronto's performance in the East? It's a real open question.