Following the blockbuster trade that sent All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, there has been much chatter surrounding his desire to playing for the franchise.
There had initially been reports that he has no interest in playing in Toronto, which has thrown a bit of uncertainty around their chances to retain him after the 2018-19 season. According to Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet, the Raptors are making progress toward making it possibly work out.
Raptors connected with Leonard and agent etc. multiple times and separately on Wednesday, according to league sources. All conversations positive, forward-looking.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) July 19, 2018
This is an encouraging sign for the Raptors in their hopes to make a compelling case to Leonard so that he can re-sign on a long-term deal next offseason as he will be the team's top priority. That said, Toronto knowingly took the big risk given that there is a clear notion that he has a strong desire to sign with either one of the teams located in his hometown in the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
There is an opportunity in front of him to play in a major role with the Raptors as potentially their top scoring option and tone setter defensively. When healthy, Leonard has proven to be one of the league's top players as a game-changer on both ends of the floor. He could form a formidable tandem with All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry that could contend in the Eastern Conference with the likes of the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers.
The 27-year-old also has a chance to showcase that he's past the quad injury that ailed him all of last season, which became the center focus of how things came undone in San Antonio between him and the organization. All of this should set the table for a highly scrutinized season in the 2018-19 season in Toronto.
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