Toronto Raptors officials are reportedly confident in the relationships superstar small forward Kawhi Leonard has built with the team's medical staff this season, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angles Times. Former Los Angeles Lakers performance trainer Alex McKechnie heads the staff.
Leonard had a falling-out with the San Antonio Spurs' medical team last season. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year only played in nine games in 2017-18 due to a lingering quadriceps injury. Leonard requested a trade last summer. The Spurs sent Kawhi and Danny Green to the Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 first round pick.
Leonard becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer once he declines his 2019-20 player option with the Raptors.
The Raptors finished with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. They are currently tied with the Orlando Magic at 1-1 in the first round, and Leonard just enjoyed a massive Game 2 performance after a shocking Game 1 loss.
Leonard will obviously take into account how far the Raptors go in the playoffs when he makes his free-agency decision. But the three-time All-Star has to appreciate how Toronto has managed his health all season, especially considering what happened with the Spurs.
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