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Kawhi may be feelin’ the love from Raptors & fans

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON - JULY 20 - Kawhi Leonard basketball jerseys and John Tavares hockey sweaters are modeled at the entrance to Real Sports Apparel inside Scotiabank Arena, Toronto. Earlier, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri talked to the media during a press conference about the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade. July 20, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 20 - Kawhi Leonard basketball jerseys and John Tavares hockey sweaters are modeled at the entrance to Real Sports Apparel inside Scotiabank Arena, Toronto. Earlier, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri talked to the media during a press conference about the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade. July 20, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Kawhi has overcome the first hurdle. He’s actually come to Toronto and met with Raptors top people. There’s other positive news – maybe he’ll last more than one season.

Kawhi Leonard, the supposedly disgruntled prize of last week’s blockbuster trade, arrived in Toronto this past weekend. A photo of him linking arms with Raptors GM Bobby Webster and President Masai Ujiri made the social media rounds, and can be seen in the video below.

Whether Leonard was showing us a genuine smile, or pasted one on for the sake of the cameras, isn’t clear yet.

Leonard’s visit to his new team’s haunts will include his physical. Every Raptors fans’ fingers are crossed that his quadriceps problem is behind him.

More to smile about: Loyal readers may recall I wrote last week about how Norman Powell might prove an excellent ambassador of Toronto to his new ‘mate. Imagine my pleasure to read, in a story from the San Diego Sun-Tribune, how Norman’s mother(!) may hold the key to keeping Kawhi a Raptor past this season.

"“The fans are so great, so supportive. They’re humble, they’re nice, they’re cordial. I haven’t seen pushy people yet. It’s just a fabulous place. Everybody has treated us with open arms. I’m hoping when Kawhi gets there he’ll feel the same way.” Sharon Powell, mother of Norman"

We hope so too, Sharon. You know Kawhi’s mother – go sell her.

Will he like us enough to stay?

The article is entitled Don’t be surprised if Kawhi Leonard warms to Toronto, and is even so bold as to suggest Leonard might re-sign with our team. That’s a contrarian opinion at the moment. Every media person and his dog Spot is convinced this fellow will be a rental. He has made clear his desire to end up in Los Angeles, his hometown.

Yet the Raptors’ greatest player, DeMar DeRozan, was less than enthralled at the idea of playing in Los Angeles. Kevin Durant never expressed a burning desire to strut his amazing stuff in front of fans in Washington, his hometown. Both players believe, rightly or wrongly, that trying to please their locals would add a degree of pressure they could do without.

I’m an optimistic fellow by nature (I have to be; I’ve been a Raptors fan since Day One, although my faith has been sorely tested on many occasions). Perhaps the dominoes will all fall our way. Leonard’s leg is in top shape, we win 60 games and the Eastern championship, and Kawhi sticks around. After all, the only free agent we’ve “lost” recently was P.J. Tucker, who decided to go to Houston. Otherwise, DeMar, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet – they have all returned.

Next: Leonard's impact on Raptors salary cap status

Should I even mention the possibility of Norman being on the move as Masai continues to pare salary? Naaah. Let’s enjoy the good vibes for however long they last.

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