If that feels like a premium, it’s because it is — but for good reason. While it’s not particularly common that superstars are traded in their mid-to-late 30s (Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard come to mind), the need for a player of Leonard’s ilk, adjacent to Toronto’s status within the Eastern Conference hierarchy, necessitated an aggressive move. From a shot profile standpoint, Leonard’s caliber is hard to come by (2009 Kobe Bryant is the closest you’ll find, which makes sense given the ability and aura). By several metrics (take your pick: fifth in PER, third in DARKO, fifth in VORP, fourth in ESPN’s Net Points WAR), Leonard’s 2025-26 campaign was that of a Tier 1 talent, production augmented by the fact he was available for nearly 70 games.