NBA Will Kawhi Leonard re-sign with the Toronto Raptors?

[kihei]

As a casual fan, it has been amazing having a star of Leonard's magnitude on the team. It puts rooting on a whole different level. This must be how fans of the vintage Oilers must have felt watching Gretzky play, or Jordan's Bulls, or James' Cavaliers--just the sense that our guy is going to get it done and repeat the process nearly every night. It has been an honour to witness that kind of athletic brilliance. How does one go back to "normal" after this? Well, I guess you do because you eventually have to--but immeasurably grateful for the experience.

 

[Advanced stats]

Random: is it legal for Leonard to take sponsorship deals pending his stay in a certain location?

Example.. Scotiabank offers a sponsorship deal worth 8 million a year for as long as Kawhi is a raptor? The deal is void if He signs elsewhere?

 

[Suiteness]

Chris Broussard was saying this morning that he heard rumblings that Kawhi would consider the Lakers if they could land AD.

Surely the league would step-in and nix this deal, right?

 

[Dr Pepper]

Chris Broussard was saying this morning that he heard rumblings that Kawhi would consider the Lakers if they could land AD.

Surely the league would step-in and nix this deal, right?

Why would they?

Kawhi can sign wherever he wants; he's earned that right.

I don't think Raps fans would even hold any ill will towards him now, he came in and helped accomplish more in ONE YEAR than any Raptor before him.

He's achieved Icon status in Toronto. If, in the end, he chooses to return home to Cali and signs with the Lakers, I wish him all the best.

 

[John Price]

Lakers Reportedly Set Their Sights On Kawhi Leonard Afters Anthony Davis Trade

 

[irunthepeg]

If Kawhi leaves, it's almost certainly not for basketball reasons. Can't really get much better than what he has at this moment, with Toronto's roster, their coaching/medical staff, his load management, and the Eastern Conference being for the taking.

I think if he leaves, it's 100% family driven. And that's ok.

It can also be part basketball reasons. I guess, if he doesn't believe Siakam can step up and be the surefire #2, Lowry and Gasol and Ibaka are all getting older so the window is likely only a couple more years right now.

 

[Suiteness]

Why would they?

Kawhi can sign wherever he wants; he's earned that right.

It can't be good for the league to have 3 of it's top 5 players on one team. That would be beyond farcical.

 

[robertmac43]

He stays, it's coming when he gets on stage

 

[dahrougem2]

Chris Broussard was saying this morning that he heard rumblings that Kawhi would consider the Lakers if they could land AD.

Surely the league would step-in and nix this deal, right?

The league doesn't own or operate the Pelicans, so why would they step in?

 

[Suiteness]

The league doesn't own or operate the Pelicans, so why would they step in?

I meant Kawhi signing with the Lakers.

 

[dahrougem2]

I meant Kawhi signing with the Lakers.

The league has no legal right to step in unless there is something illegal taking place from either/both sides.

Just because you wouldn't like it doesn't mean the league would step in and stop it.

 

[Advanced stats]

I meant Kawhi signing with the Lakers.

No way it would happen, but not because the league could do anything. There's no rule against having any amount of super stars on the same team.

It doesn't happen, because, 1...the Lakers can't offer a max contract once the Davis deal is done.
2. It would be a powder keg waiting to go off. Imagine the drama there.. guaranteed they would all complain and whine. Way to much ego in one room.

 

[Del Preston]

 

[Advanced stats]

He stays, it's coming when he gets on stage

That would be just chaos... Would be absolutely unreal.

I do wonder if Lowry knows something though.
He led the "5 more years" chant and kept whispering and laughing with Kawhi.

Could be a jerk move if he knew Kawhi was signing elsewhere..

 

[Jaguar God]

I meant Kawhi signing with the Lakers.

Lol why would the league step in?

Kawhi going to LA makes a lot of sense.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Lakers Reportedly Set Their Sights On Kawhi Leonard Afters Anthony Davis Trade

I can’t see it happening. I recall an interview with Kawhi and he said several times about how his primary concern when coming back from injury was being able to return to being a number one option.

I don’t think he goes to a team where he could be the #3, regardless of how talented the other guys are. It’s not like he needs to ring chase.

I’d still consider it between the Clippers and Raptors. My money is on the 1+1 in Toronto for one more run and then he picks his spot next summer.

 

[JunglePete]

I can’t see it happening. I recall an interview with Kawhi and he said several times about how his primary concern when coming back from injury was being able to return to being a number one option.

I don’t think he goes to a team where he could be the #3, regardless of how talented the other guys are. It’s not like he needs to ring chase.

I’d still consider it between the Clippers and Raptors. My money is on the 1+1 in Toronto for one more run and then he picks his spot next summer.

This.

Idk why nearly everyone leave Clippers out of the discussion. It wouldnt make sense the year after winning MVP to leave a team to become Number 3. Ik he is unpredictable, but it is not logical at this point in his career.

Its open season now in the West, with KD missing next year, AD with Lebron, Zion Ingram and the rest who would certainly push for a playoff spot. I say 65 percent chance he is in Toronto 35 with Clippers.

 

[dahrougem2]

There's no way Kawhi Leonard signs with the Lakers. He doesn't seem wired that way to be going out and joining super teams.

Even if Anthony Davis wasn't there, I just don't know if he and LeBron could co-exist. Kawhi seems to thrive on being the leader out there on the floor. Ain't no way in hell LBJ would let that happen, even if it was better for him.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

It's not even the super team aspect for me(although I do agree with that). I just have trouble seeing a guy like him wanting to be a part of the circus atmosphere that exists with the Lakers or the one that exists with LeBron nowadays, let alone both.

I dunno, I think he stays, at least for two years. He has everything he wants and that short term commitment(on his end) fits with what the Raptors have going on.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

There's no way Kawhi Leonard signs with the Lakers. He doesn't seem wired that way to be going out and joining super teams.

Uncle Dennis on the other hand...

 

[Jaguar God]

As a casual fan, it has been amazing having a star of Leonard's magnitude on the team. It puts rooting on a whole different level. This must be how fans of the vintage Oilers must have felt watching Gretzky play, or Jordan's Bulls, or James' Cavaliers--just the sense that our guy is going to get it done and repeat the process nearly every night. It has been an honour to witness that kind of athletic brilliance. How does one go back to "normal" after this? Well, I guess you do because you eventually have to--but immeasurably grateful for the experience.

Honour to witness athletic brilliance?
This entire post reminded me of the south park episode where they smell their own farts.

As a casual fan, I have to ask: will you stop caring once Leonard leaves? You'll only hop back on the bandwagon when they win, right?

 

[Advanced stats]

Honour to witness athletic brilliance?
This entire post reminded me of the south park episode where they smell their own farts.

As a casual fan, I have to ask: will you stop caring once Leonard leaves? You'll only hop back on the bandwagon when they win, right?

Ahhaha!!

This whole post has a strong "pissed off Boston fan" vibe to it.

He's a fan, not a bandwagoner. He clearly cares greatly about the raptors, especially lately. Not everyone is a diehard

 

[Jaguar God]

Ahhaha!!

This whole post has a strong "pissed off Boston fan" vibe to it.

He's a fan, not a bandwagoner. He clearly cares greatly about the raptors, especially lately. Not everyone is a diehard

Lol wtf. I like the Raptors, just don't like fairweather fans.

And LOL you clearly have Boston on the mind. Must be tough being a Leafs fan, triggered by the Bruins logo.

 

[Voight]

Chris Broussard was saying this morning that he heard rumblings that Kawhi would consider the Lakers if they could land AD.

Surely the league would step-in and nix this deal, right?

Lakers Reportedly Set Their Sights On Kawhi Leonard Afters Anthony Davis Trade

There's no way Kawhi Leonard signs with the Lakers. He doesn't seem wired that way to be going out and joining super teams.

Even if Anthony Davis wasn't there, I just don't know if he and LeBron could co-exist. Kawhi seems to thrive on being the leader out there on the floor. Ain't no way in hell LBJ would let that happen, even if it was better for him.

Kawhi Leonard free agency rumors: Raptors star more interested in Clippers than Lakers

 

[Voight]

Ahhaha!!

This whole post has a strong "pissed off Boston fan" vibe to it.

He's a fan, not a bandwagoner. He clearly cares greatly about the raptors, especially lately. Not everyone is a diehard

Boston fans are pissed that the glorious Celtics have the same number of titles as the Raptors since the Cold War ended. despite the Raptors being around for 24 years.