Following the arrival of Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri doesn't want to hear how little pull the city has when it comes to attracting players to play there.
“The narrative of not wanting to come to this city is gone. That’s old talk,” said Ujiri on Monday's Media Day, according to Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. “We want to win. It’s our jobs here to try to bring these players, sell these players (on) here. Let’s be proud. Let’s move past that narrative.”
Ujiri might be under a false impression, as the San Antonio Spurs didn't have to consult Leonard before trading him this summer, simply able to do so as long as the salaries and compensations made sense.
Leonard and teammate Danny Green expressed their desire to be in Toronto, but neither committed long-term during Monday's media day or made any claims of making Toronto their long-term home.
The narrative remains the same, as no big-time free agent has yet to sign with the Raptors in recent memory, as point guard Kyle Lowry and forward Serge Ibaka, the team's next two biggest stars, were both acquired via trade — just like Leonard.
If Leonard chooses to stay beyond this season, Ujiri could revisit this conversation, but as of now, it has no ground to stand on — especially after trading the only player to take a multi-year offer without entertaining other suitors when they traded DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs.
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