Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard’s departure far from certain

The Toronto Raptors trade for Kawhi Leonard has been a nearly unqualified success. But there’s still no answer to the question “Will he stay?”. Here’s what to do.

The exponential increase in the NBA’s popularity, mixed with the social media boom, has created something of an unwanted stepchild. Over the past few years, the race to report, or create, rumours has become a mini-industry. The Toronto Raptors have become a focus of attention due to the uncertainty surrounding the plans of superstar swingman Kawhi Leonard next season.

As you know, Leonard becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent [UFA] following the 2018-19 season, meaning he is free to sign with any NBA team without compensation being owed to Toronto. The Raptors retain his Bird rights, so can offer him more money over a longer term than anyone else.

The rumour mill has been in overdrive virtually since the moment in July Leonard was traded to our team. Most of the speculation has been pushing southern California as his next destination, an understandable position given that his hometown is Los Angeles, and he placed college ball at San Diego State.

And now here’s a new entry into the sweepstakes:

Is that a new low in pitiful or what? The Brooklyn Nets are supposedly a contender for Leonard’s services because an (unnamed) assistant coach might or might not have dined with him?

This nonsense follows closely on Adrian Wojnarowski (whose credibility is impeccable) and Zach Lowe (likewise) having a discussion about Leonard’s destinations:

Neither of them say Toronto is out of the equation. They don’t mention either New York team as a serious landing spot.

One-year wonder vs. long-term success?

If Los Angeles is truly where Kawhi wants to end up (I have no idea if that’s true, and I doubt he does at the moment), then the Raptors are in an interesting position. Could they play off the two teams in that city against each other?

The Clippers haven’t been subtle in their pursuit of Leonard, as you’ll hear in the video [above] and read here. How would Lakers boss “Magic” Johnson feel about Leonard being the face of LA’s “other” team?

On behalf of Raptors fans everywhere, I urge Masai Ujiri not to replicate the Chris Bosh fiasco. CB4 claimed he didn’t want to be moved, and hadn’t made up his mind about whether to re-sign with our team. When the 2009-10 season was over, he couldn’t leave fast enough, and was disrespectful as he slammed the door behind himself. What followed was years of losing, and ultimately the demise of Bryan Colangelo. [20-second timeout: When Bosh left, the Raps got a compensatory pick from Miami. Under the new CBA rules, we’d get nothing if Kawhi walks.]

I don’t want to see Kawhi moved anywhere. He’s the best two-way player ever to slip on a Raptors jersey. But if Masai is getting a negative vibe from the admittedly inscrutable Leonard, he has a duty to trade him before the February 7 deadline. With two serious suitors in the same city, either of whom Kawhi is likely to sign a multi-year contract with, the return could be massive.