Amidst the blockbuster news of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and future stars finding their homes through the NBA draft, the status of Kawhi Leonard has popped up as well. On the second night of the draft, one insider hinted that Leonard could be parting ways with the LA Clippers this season.
Just before the Atlanta Hawks’ No. 57 pick was announced, Bobby Marks reported that multiple teams could be keeping tabs on the two-time Finals MVP.
“I think there’s a lot of playoff teams keeping an eye on what happens with Kawhi Leonard…maybe his former teams.”
The last part of Marks’ report points to just two teams. On the one hand, there’s the San Antonio Spurs, the team that made a draft-night deal in 2011 to acquire Leonard and helped him blossom into an All-Star. On the other hand, there’s the Toronto Raptors, who won their first-ever NBA title when Leonard came to town during the 2018-19 season.
There’s good reason for the Spurs and the Raptors to closely monitor their former star. Leonard is entering the final season of a three-year, $149.5 million contract with the Clippers. According to insider Chris Haynes, the Clippers have yet to begin negotiations with Leonard on a contract extension this offseason.
Haynes added that Leonard could be on the move if he doesn’t come to terms with the Clippers on an extension. As to which NBA teams could take an interest in the seven-time All-Star, Marks suggests that Leonard might be in for a homecoming, one way or another.
“Sign Me Up”: Analyst Backs Idea of Kawhi Leonard Going to Eastern Conference Playoff Team
As for analyst Kevin O’Connor, he likes one potential Kawhi Leonard destination over the other.
“Now, I can’t imagine it’s the Spurs. But the Raptors? Yeah. Sign me up for Ingram + whatever it takes for Kawhi,” O’Connor tweeted.
Ingram will be entering the second season of a three-year, $120 million deal with the Raptors. Meanwhile, his running mate Scottie Barnes is in the early stages of a five-year, max rookie extension worth $224.2 million. It will be interesting to see if either of these All-Star forwards gets dealt in a Toronto trade to get Leonard.
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