Among the free agents heading into the next NBA season is Toronto Raptors forward and main star Kawhi Leonard. His NBA year could not have ended in a better way being the MVP that leads the Raptors to its first-ever NBA title in 24 years.
Now the range of opportunities that is open to the player comes June 30, seems almost infinite. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and undoubtedly the Toronto Raptors are some of the top team fighting for Leonard. But recent developments say that people can count the Lakers out as Leonard only has the other two teams in mind.
After the Lakers successfully won Anthony Davis in a trade that gives away Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and their three future picks, a lot of speculation took over the NBA. One was that Kawhi Leonard could join them and form a new "Big Three" in Los Angeles. But according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN America, this is far from happening.
Appearing Tuesday on Get Up, Wojnarowski said that Leonard's decision would probably come down to re-signing with the Toronto Raptors or joining the Los Angeles Clippers and he has no interest signing with the Lakers.
Wojnarowski confirmed the rumors that Kawhi is really looking for a team that is close to his personality, and that is Los Angeles, where the place that he was born. However, it is with the Clippers and not the Lakers due to many reasons. First is because the Lakers would not have enough money to offer Leonard. Second is that the idea of him being the third wheel on a team trying to create a super team is definitely not on Kawhi's agenda.
Wojnarowski also added that the Clippers are willing to get Kawhi Leonard from Toronto by any chance, so it would be an intense fight between these two teams, and only these two teams. Kawhi may meet and talk with other franchises and consider them, but Clippers and Raptors are his favorites by miles.
During the league finals, The Athletic reporter Joe Vardon stated that the Clippers were confident in getting Kawhi in the free agency. However, after the Raptors' title, they fear Kawhi may want to stay in Toronto, where he has already become an idol.
In fact, the Clippers already think of a plan B, in case Kawhi Leonard finally opts for the renewal. The first is Kevin Durant. The Warriors star will be sideline for a year due to the recent injury, but still, he is one of the stars that any team would want. Durant himself said he did not care what his new team was, he would only opt for the one that offers the most money. The 2nd would be Kyrie Irving.
Kawhi may also choose to remain in Canada as he and the Raptors have just become NBA champions. The people of Canada love him and the chanting of one more year by the Canadians in yesterday's celebration is a sight to behold.
However, In the midst of the celebrations, the league champions believe that there's still a great chance their star will reject his option to extend his contract to become a free agent, so they will fight to get him back It is then when Toronto could offer about 190 million dollars spread over five seasons.
Leonard is not the only player whose continuity in the team is not in the hands of the Raptors. Marc Gasol will also be a free agent and haven't decided yet while Danny Green had already rejected his player option and will become a free agent. Other players like Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka are also on their last contract year.
Considering the offers of these three teams, Kawhi Leonard got some hard thinking to do. If he chooses to go to the Lakers and join LeBron and Anthony Davis, Kawhi would have a great chance to win the title again. If he goes to the Clippers, he will have to do what he did with the Raptors, which is to win the finals with a team that has never been champion and makes another history again. Finally, if he stays in Toronto, Leonard has a chance to build a dynasty, as well as become the big basketball guy for the east.
