Kawhi Leonard has reportedly broken up with his agent, Mitch Frankel, and business advisor, Dennis “Uncle Dennis” Robertson, and hired Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports. The forward was earlier traded by the Los Angeles Clippers after the NBA investigated journalist Pablo Torre’s report on the team’s attempt to circumvent Leonard’s salary through off-court arrangements. The reporter once again shared a hilarious and sarcastic take on the forward’s latest decision.
Even though the NBA investigators reportedly conducted extensive search interviews into the matter, both the team and Leonard denied the allegations. The league officials haven’t spoken at length about the outcome of the investigation. Meanwhile, the forward decided to return to Toronto after leading the team to its first championship in 2019, that too seemingly with new management.
When analyst Shams Charania posted his official ESPN report on X about the change in Leonard’s controversial management, investigative reporter Torre dropped Brian Windhorst’s popular “Why would they do that?” meme on the news.
The meme makes sense because Leonard’s uncle, Robertson, was reportedly at the center of this alleged salary-circumvention fraud. Torre’s report mentioned his name in several places and highlighted a $28 million deal between company Aspiration and Kawhi Leonard’s personal LLC, KL2 Aspire, per ESPN’s report. Torre’s report claimed that the amount was an attempt to fulfill his NBA salary through off-court signings.
Meanwhile, Leonard is now eligible for a max extension of $123.7 million for two years with the Raptors, per Charania’s new report. The team has given a lot of assets: unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks, including Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. They will expect nothing less than a championship core from their returning star.
Kawhi Leonard couldn’t avoid three things with the Raptors
Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 NBA championship victory was one for the ages. They dominated the peak Golden State Warriors in six games, and nobody ever forgot Leonard’s Hail Mary from the baseline to win Game 7 against Philly. And now, he seemingly wants to relive the memory with the Raptors again.
In his aforementioned ESPN report, Shams Charania mentioned the three key reasons for the star forward to return to the Raptors:
“Three key reasons Leonard was open to this deal to Toronto, according to sources: familiarity with a Toronto organization that has the majority of its front office structure in place, now led by executive vice president Bobby Webster. Leonard also likes the city of Toronto and believes the Raptors can contend in the Eastern Conference. Leonard envisions ending his career in Toronto, sources said.”
The Raptors look like a frontcourt-heavy squad right now that could play off each other, with RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. However, the franchise might look to add some more perimeter shooting. The young core has developed well, and with Leonard’s leadership and playoff experience, the franchise might be able to take that last leap once again.
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