Speaking to the media after capturing his second NBA Championship and Finals MVP trophy, Kawhi Leonard talked about coming to the Toronto Raptors this past summer.
“I texted Kyle the day I got traded and told him let’s go do something special,” Kawhi said, “Let’s make this thing work out.” Together, Kawhi and Kyle did exactly that by bringing Toronto, and all of Canada, an NBA Championship.
The game had ended only minutes ago, the Raptors hadn’t even made it back to their locker room yet, and already Doris Burke was asking Leonard about his upcoming free agency. Such has been the narrative surrounding the Raptors all season. With every win, every playoff opponent defeated, right up until the final buzzer of game six, it seemed that every conversation regarding Leonard and the Raptors was stamped with the asterisk of “is Kawhi leaving or staying this summer?”
Kawhi is deferential whenever he’s been approached about the topic. He often deflects the questions by emphasizing his focus on the present. But the season is over now, free agency is upon us, and there is a clear path Kawhi should take. He accomplished his goal, he delivered Toronto a title, no one should resent him when he leaves for Southern California this summer.
Trading for Kawhi was always a gamble. And it couldn’t have worked out better for both sides. Now that the confetti has fallen and the champagne has been poured, Masai Ujiri and the rest of the Raptors front office have to sit down and figure out how they’re going to keep Kawhi in Toronto. They’ve done everything they can so far to make a strong case for staying.
MVP of the #NBAFinals Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/XQcgQuBJ7I
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 14, 2019
Leaving Toronto would send Kawhi’s career into uncertainty. Who knows what would await him with a different team. With the Raptors, the future is clear. Kawhi could stay, run it back, and go on his way to being known as the greatest Toronto Raptor ever. It’s a pretty appealing possibility, and one he’s already well on his way to achieving.
His lone season with the Raptors has been full of highlight reel moments. The improbable buzzer-beater to knock off Philly, the commanding takedown of the Bucks, and an NBA Championship. He's had a great run with the Raptors and the team looks to be built to contend again next year. But is that potential future enough to convince Kawhi to turn down a chance to finally play for his hometown team? I don’t think so.
Kawhi needs to frame this pic.twitter.com/UkjxXyJ3f7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 14, 2019
The Los Angeles Clippers can make an incredibly appealing offer to Kawhi. He can play in front of his friends and family every single night in the Staples Center, he would be paired with a perennial Coach of the Year candidate in Doc Rivers, and the Clippers current roster has the potential to grow into something even greater.
The Clippers are coming off a very successful season in their own right. As an underdog, they snuck into the playoffs and gave the Warriors a good scare in the first round. Their front office has also positioned the team for success down the road. They traded away Tobias Harris and Blake Griffin, acquiring future first round picks and good young players in the process. They were also actively working towards freeing up enough space to bring in another max player along with Leonard.
This means that they can offer Kawhi the opportunity to play in his hometown, with another star player of his choosing, surrounded by a roster of excellent role players, and the first round picks to build a dynasty of his own. With all due respect to Toronto, it’s hard to see Kawhi passing that up.
The Raptors organization and Canada as a whole should thank him for the good times and wish him well. It’s time for the Klaw to go home.
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