The Spurs traded him to Toronto because they figured they'd get something for him while they could Toronto made the trade because they figured they'd take a shot and trying to convince him to stay in Toronto level 1 Share this article share tweet text email link Nina Mandell. This is clearly one of the raptors fans who thought trading Demar was a bad idea. It was a heck of a season, but it appears that's all the Toronto Raptors are going to get from Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi Leonard's Thank you message to Toronto. I know that sounds crazy, Kawhi is definitely a monster. What exactly happened which caused them both to leave? If he wants to win now he should join the team that missed the playoffs and leave the team that is currently in the ECF?? It’s you. Come to Toronto! It appears that the Kawhi Leonard era with the San Antonio Spurs is coming to an end. The Raptors can offer him 190M over 5 years. He wanted to go home. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the torontoraptors community. VANCOUVER—Danny Green admits he didn’t think it would take this long. Published July 5, 2019 . Winning or going to the finals isn’t the biggest priority bc he probably feels he will win wherever he goes. If soon-to-be free agent Kawhi Leonard decides to leave Toronto next month after bringing the Raptors through their most successful season in franchise history, it won't be our city's fault. “The reason why … The news was confirmed by Kawhi's uncle, Dennis Robertson - who is the NBA star’s chief advisor. Kawhi Leonard has left the Toronto Raptors to join the Los Angeles Clippers just one year after being traded to the team. He never wanted to come here. It ended up doubling as his farewell. The Kawhi claw and the Raptor claw are synonymous and he’s already become bffs with Drake. Blocked me on IG too cause I asked him “Wtf is Mafuzzy, man?”. He has the chance to be the king of canada on top of a super contract. July 20, 2018 James Gilmore Atlantic Division, ... It’s hard to imagine him leaving another $50 million to leave Toronto. One X-factor puts Toronto over the edge. He wanted to go to L.A. and he made it clear that he wanted to go to L.A. It makes you wonder in Kawhi Leonard’s first — and possibly last — season with the Raptors. Now, a little less than a year later, they leave … Kawhi Leonard might’ve made the wrong move by leaving Toronto. Lets say Kawhi stays, KD leaves the Warriors. In choosing to leave the Raptors for the LA Clippers in free agency, Leonard became the first player in NBA history to join a new team after winning Finals MVP.Michael Jordan left the Chicago Bulls twice, the only difference is he decided to retire both times, … Kawhi Leonard may leave the Toronto Raptors to their first ever NBA championship - but he doesn't plan on being with the team past this year, MTO News has confirmed. Here's to some good battles this year and once again: Fuck the Lakers. It did not end well for him, as he was serenaded with boos and chants of “TRAITOR” in the Spurs’ 125-107 victory. Those spots could be filled in with cheap vets and a full MLE free agent (ideally a 6th man with some scoring chops). That imagined team will be much better in the regular season than this year and will have more bench depth and chemistry for the playoffs. Toronto also struggled to give the player his space. Uncle Dennis Speaks: Uncle of Raptors star Kawhi Leonard to Yahoo Sports on why they requested trade from Spurs, initial reluctance to go to Toronto, … It’s not unreasonable to expect better health across the board as well. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This means both those teams really feel like they have a chance at Leonard. Sports experts are now weighing in on how Kawhi’s commitment to personal privacy may have affected his decision to ditch the 6ix. Successful team, treats him well, not as flashy as a place like the Lakers if he’s not into that. As much as we here in Toronto loved and respected him, we couldn’t compete with home. "Enjoy this moment, and have fun with it." Blocked by Ibaka on IG. Players leaving is kind of the norm for the Toronto Raptors. Kyle would likely regress a little bit, but a full year of Gasol, improved chemistry (not having to integrate 4 new starters and a new coach), and growth from Siakam and OG should more than offset that. But he had some advice Friday for Toronto Raptors fans waiting on tenterhooks to learn whether Kawhi … Will he stay? We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. Again, he’s the most mysterious player in the league so what he values is anyone’s guess. "If he wants to win now he can go to the Lakers and get about as good as guaranteed rings with LeBron. Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors plays against the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto. This is a different dude than we saw in San Antonio. If he leaves, I have picked 5 players that could replace him from best case scenario to worse! Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green came as a package deal to the Toronto Raptors. Besides, Raptors still have plenty of assets to make moves and sign another star besides him. With the Warriors is any team guaranteed to win ? Share this article 645 shares ... Jalen Rose said on First Take that Leonard wants to leave San Antonio. Kawhi stay. Celtics fan coming in peace. He already made a name in Toronto and he scored the best buzzer beater in the history of the NBA. like ... in part for Kawhi Leonard. That ain't true. If he wants to win he stays in Toronto. View entire discussion ( 326 comments) ... help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. It was a heck of a season, but it appears that's all the Toronto Raptors are going to get from Kawhi Leonard. We’re aware of how he helped the Raptors, but a lot of people glaze over what Toronto did for Kawhi. A subreddit dedicated to NBA news and discussion. Press J to jump to the feed. If soon-to-be free agent Kawhi Leonard decides to leave Toronto next month after bringing the Raptors through their most successful season in franchise history, it won't be our city's fault. Toronto Raptors: Why Kawhi Leonard Might Just Stay In The North. We have a great prospect in Siakam and OG is alright. The news was confirmed by Kawhi's uncle, Dennis Robertson - who is the NBA star’s chief advisor. 1 year ago. Leonard has Los Angeles as a top destination, sources say. We really don’t know where his feels are but from the outside I’d say there’s at least a better chance for him to stay than there was 9 months ago. Kawhi Leonard made the biggest NBA news of the summer like only he could: Extremely quietly. However, Kawhi Leonard’s decision is a whole lot different. There’s no way that Kawhi joins the media circus on the lakers, the guy would lose his fucking mind. Did he somehow fall in love with the city in his 8 months here? Kawhi Leonard may leave the Toronto Raptors to their first ever NBA championship - but he doesn't plan on being with the team past this year, MTO News has confirmed. The world learned that the reigning Finals MVP would leave Toronto after … Why can't the Raptors win the title next year? Article content continued. Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors plays against the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto. It all seemed endearing until news helicopters began following the athlete’s car and fans lurked wherever they thought the player might pop up. Less than a month after leading the Raptors to their first NBA title, the superstar free agent is reportedly leaving Toronto for the Los Angeles Clippers. D'lo, Kawhi, Danny, and other good free agents. We knew it was a long shot, and we had more than enough money to offer him to sign. That was Kawhi Leonard's advice to Raptors fans at the team's first championship parade in mid-June. Following the ESPN report, Jalen Rose said on First Take that Leonard wants to leave San Antonio. What is clear enough, looking back, is this: The moment the door to the Spurs’ dressing room opened again, nothing would be the same in San Antonio. Didn't know what I was feeling for a second. Lowry and Gasol are getting old, yes, but they will still be productive in the next year or two. Had free agency played out … A subreddit for fans of the 2018-19 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. A better way to put it is that his supporting cast in Toronto was underrated. In LA he will be second fiddle to LeBron, in Clippers he needs more support and the team is too young. Bucks will be better unless Toronto can lure another free agent. If he wants to win now he can go to the Lakers and get about as good as guaranteed rings with LeBron. Press J to jump to the feed. He’s a simple dude and if his basic needs have been met and he’s enjoying himself then he probably won’t feel the need to move. Russell going to the Warriors scares me, many thought he was coming to Lakers. For NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard shouldn’t have left the Toronto Raptors. If he wants to be closer to home he goes to the Clippers. Less than a month after leading the Raptors to their first NBA title, the superstar free agent is reportedly leaving Toronto for the Los Angeles Clippers. Press J to jump to the feed. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I'm really hoping for the best, but I'll be lying if I said that my confidence in Leonard staying hasn't wavered. After helping the Toronto Raptors win their first title in franchise history, Kawhi Leonard did something we've never seen before.. Kawhi Leonard might’ve made the wrong move by leaving Toronto. We lose Jeremy Lin, Eric Moreland, Jodie Meeks, and Patrick McCaw. That team would be the favourite in the East (depending on other things like Philly adding talent beyond re-signing their 3 free agent starters or Boston acquiring AD). The East is also a lot more competitive just based of today. 1.7k. OR leave? Around this time last year, he was traded for DeMar DeRozan… No offense to DeMar. Cathal Kelly. ", He has a clearer path to the finals in the east, Toronto has great fans and he isn’t in the “LA Spotlight” there, Lmao Lakers can’t even make the playoffs how is that a guaranteed ring, already in the ecf and could still win the finals, will get paid more with the raps than other teams. It was always worth it in the end. 1.6k votes, 114 comments. Close. ... lets just leave it at that and move on with or lives. After seven seasons in San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard says he wants to leave the club, sources told ESPN. If Kawhi Leonard chooses to leave Toronto, it’ll close the circle on a perfect story. One X-factor puts Toronto over the edge. Kawhi Leonard might be a smidge overrated. Toronto to Kawhi Leonard: You’ll like it here. This Raptors team is clearly not going to win the championship and we're getting worse next year. The Raptors backcourt is much better than the Clippers’. According to a report by The Spun, a leak of information appeared to be what turned Kawhi off of his second LA option, the Lakers.. Kawhi's conversations with Magic Johnson set the internet ablaze when news about their meetings first broke. And he laid out some pretty solid arguments to defend his case. I only called him Big Cocka. Kawhi Leonard has opted to leave the Toronto Raptors in free agency and is embarking on a new journey in Los Angeles, signing a four-year $142million max contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto has waited since the summer for tonight, readying for its chance to see Kawhi Leonard back at Scotiabank Arena. “Kawhi Watch” was all anyone wanted to talk about for weeks. Really hoping Kawhi stays because fuck the Lakers. If he wants his own team that has a promising future he can go to the Clippers. Also, the inactivity of both LA teams this Sunday is worrisome. Today, Kawhi Leonard is in Toronto getting ready to take on the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. All jokes aside he legitimately looks like he’s having fun. Bring us some of ur magic. Nick Nurse spoke about how he found out about Kawhi Leonard’s decision to leave Toronto and what he said in their conversation over text afterward. Here's to some good battles this year and once again: Fuck the Lakers. ... help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. Kawhi Leonard has a big decision to make entering FA. So, consider the scenario where the Raptors re-sign Kawhi and bring back Danny (who seems likely to come back, but we probably don’t put up the cash unless Kawhi does too). TORONTO, ON- JUNE 20 - Kawhi Leonard watches as the Toronto Blue Jays ... Danny Green sent a message to Toronto's fans after he decided to leave and so did … Called him Big Cocka, some other guy said I talked shit about him and every other player when they play bad. Jalen Rose explains why Kawhi Leonard 'wants out' of San Antonio. ... Really hoping Kawhi stays because fuck the Lakers. And he laid out some pretty solid arguments to … A better way to put it is that his supporting cast in Toronto was underrated. Here’s why the vitriol was so intense. What kind of crazy pills are you taking? There’s no way that Kawhi joins the media circus on the lakers, the guy would lose his fucking mind. Where is this coming from? Kawhi Leonard might be a smidge overrated. Masai has demonstrated that he can find bargains at the margins. Because they are good and are a series away from a finals appearance. Kawhi will leave toronto,... well he may stay.....but if he leaves it is for one reason.....Listen, Like, share, subscribe, watch all my vidoes. For a while now, Toronto Raptors fans have been trying to … Why he would ever want to leave after all that’s happened here already. Published July 5, 2019 Updated July 5, 2019 . After helping the Toronto Raptors win their first title in franchise history, Kawhi Leonard did something we've never seen before.. Nick Nurse spoke about how he found out about Kawhi Leonard’s decision to leave Toronto and what he said in their conversation over text afterward. So why did Kawhi feel it was time to leave the Spurs? For NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard shouldn’t have left the Toronto Raptors. If he stays he can become literally the face of basketball in Canada, which means money. Video from 2016 explains perfectly why DeMar DeRozan never wanted to leave Toronto. Don't FORGET to - … Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Posted by. Just being realistic. I know that sounds crazy, Kawhi is definitely a monster. The Raptors backcourt is much better than the Clippers’. He's leaving Cali tonight so he can go to Toronto and sign a big deal!!! Why would the Raptors be worse next year? Fans studied the player's every move, word and gesture for clues about his plans. I've seen some people say things like there's a 60% chance he stays. If he wants to be closer to home he goes to the Clippers. “The reason why is tenfold. He's leaving Cali tonight so he can go to Toronto and sign a big deal!!! Dave Zarum | @davezarum July 7, 2019, 9:29 AM. If he wants to win he stays in Toronto. According to multiple reports, the 2014 NBA Finals MVP is looking to leave the franchise via trade. If he wants to be near his family he can go to either of the LA teams.