There is reportedly a growing sense that the Toronto Raptors have a much better shot at persuading superstar small forward Kawhi Leonard to sign a short-term deal this summer in free agency than they did as recently as May 2, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
May 2 is the night the Raptors got blown out by the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the second round of the playoffs. Toronto wound up winning Game 4 in Philadelphia and the overall series after Leonard hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 7 up in Toronto.
We all know what happened next. The Raptors erased a 0-2 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Milwaukee Bucks and won the series by winning four games in a row. Toronto then defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in six games. Leonard won his second Finals MVP.
Leonard just led the Raptors to a championship. All of Canada remains fearful that Kawhi is poised to bolt, but there is a growing sense that Toronto has a much better shot at persuading Leonard to sign a short-term deal — one year guaranteed at $33 million and a second year at his option at $36 million — than it did as recently as May 2.
That’s the night Toronto fell into a 2-1 hole against Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference semifinals, forcing the Raptors to win Game 4 on the Sixers’ floor and set Leonard up for the Game 7 corner jumper that eliminated the Sixers at the buzzer.
The Raptors can offer Leonard the most money in free agency this offseason, plus a fifth year on his deal if the swingman wants to sign a long-term contract instead of a short-term one.
All eyes will be on Leonard this summer. With Kevin Durant expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season with an Achilles injury, Leonard will be the most sought-after free agent this offseason.
Follow Us
Subscribe