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The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly seem themselves as the favorite to sign Kawhi Leonard during the 2019 free agency period, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Leonard can become an unrestricted free agent after this season ends if he declines his 2019-20 player option with the Toronto Raptors, something the two-time Defensive Player of the Year will do since he can make more money by entering the open market.
But I will say that a genuine confidence about their Kawhi chances emanates from the Clippers every time I’m around them. They obviously can’t say it for public consumption, but the sense I get is that the Clippers see themselves as the favorites for Leonard.
The Clippers’ belief on this front has convinced me, at the very least, that the Toronto Raptors have to treat the Lakers’ Staples Center co-tenants as their most worthy threat in the Kawhi Sweepstakes. And I’d say they do.
The Clippers have been linked to Kawhi Leonard since last summer. When Leonard requested a trade from the San Antonio Spurs, LA tried to acquire the All-Star small forward, but they weren't able to create a trade package that San Antonio liked.
Kawhi Leonard grew up in Riverside, California. If the two-time All-Star doesn't re-sign with the Raptors, many around the league believe he will choose the Clippers over the Lakers since LeBron James is already on the Purple and Gold.
