Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. thinks that the Toronto Raptors could convince Kawhi Leonard to buy into their organization long-term. The deal that sent Leonard to Toronto and DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs was the most surprising trade of the offseason. Many thought the Raptors got the short end of the stick, but Nance thinks otherwise.
“Toronto has enough to make him stay, it’s a beautiful city and they love their basketball out there,” Nance Jr exclusively told Express Sport.
Leonard was reportedly most interested in leaving the Spurs to return home and play for a team in California. The excitement of a possible LeBron James team up was mouthwatering to fans. Many expect Leonard to enter free agency after the 2018-19 season so he can do just that. The Lakers have a team full of budding stars and now have acquired the best basketball player in the world. Why wouldn't want to play alongside an NBA great?
“We saw it with Paul George, he said he wanted to be Laker, but come free agency, he loved Oklahoma City so he re-signed. I think it’s very possible we see another situation like that,” Larry Nance continued.
If Leonard plays like the All-Star he is this season and buys in to the Raptors' plan for him, they will have successfully improved their chances in winning the Eastern Conference. Leonard's teammate Danny Green came over from the Spurs with him. He's also voiced his opinion how hard it will be for him to turn Toronto down. If the Raptors give it everything they've got Leonard's homecoming might be delayed a little longer.
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