Positive news are surrounding Kawhi Leonard's offseason with his new team, the Toronto Raptors. After reports circulated online about Leonard's displeasure on playing for the Raptors, it seems like we will eventually see the 2014 Finals MVP back on the court with his new Raps threads.
In a bid to retain Leonard and offer him a contract beyond the 2018-19 season, the Raptors hired former San Antonio Spurs video coordinator Jeremy Castleberry to the team's coaching staff. Leonard looks up to Castleberry as a coach and a close friend.
Despite that, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said sources told him that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year still has the Los Angeles teams on top of his list when he becomes a free agent in 2019.
“So far, Leonard's preference is to sign in Los Angeles with either the Lakers or Clippers next season, sources told Wojnarowski.”
Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri took a big gamble when he took on Leonard's expiring contract and traded DeMar DeRozan for it. It is arguably a fair trade given Leonard's superstar status. But the Raps stand to gain nothing from the trade if he leaves the team next year.
Another issue would be his health, the cause of why everything went awry in his relationship with the Spurs. But all indicators point to a positive light as Leonard is reportedly having workouts with the team and has even said earlier this summer that he wanted to join the Team USA training camp.
But as far as this upcoming season is concerned, Leonard and the Raptors are poised to be one of the top contenders in the East under the tutelage of new coach Nick Nurse.
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