Kawhi Leonard did not only cross conferences, but also jumped over the nation’s border after he was traded to the Toronto Raptors by the San Antonio Spurs. There have been reports that say Leonard is not planning to stay in Toronto beyond the 2018-19 season. What’s worse are rumors that he might not play at all next season for the Raptors. Both scenarios, in varying degrees, are not very comforting for Raptors fans, but during a red-carpet appearance at the ESPYs, ESPN’s Adam Wojnarowski tried to allay some of those fears in Toronto by saying that he’s heard Leonard is beginning to like his new basketball environment.

“The one thing I was told today, he’s started to warm to the idea that he’s going to a contender. He’s got a team that could be as good as anybody in the Eastern Conference. Now it’s on Toronto to try to recruit him, keep him, but in his mind right now, he’s headed to LA next year.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdJnsR9KAAc

However, the Raptors are not in a position to feel confident that they can sign Leonard to an extension or get him to sign a new deal next summer, as the forward remains very much interested in moving to Los Angeles next year, as noted by Wojnarowski. Whether it’s the Los Angeles Lakers or the L.A. Clippers, it does seem right now that Leonard is eyeing to change his NBA address to Staples Center once his one-year dalliance with Toronto is over.

For the meantime, Leonard will form a new tandem with Kyle Lowry while still also being surrounded by quality talent with the likes of Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka in the frontcourt and Danny Green, CJ Miles, and OG Anunoby on the wings.

Leonard was shipped by the Spurs to Toronto along with Green for Jakob Poeltl, a protected future draft pick, and DeMar DeRozan.