Like Paul George, Kawhi Leonard was traded to an unexpected suitor with one year left in his free agency, despite rumors that he wanted to end up in Los Angeles. George, who was sent from Indiana to Oklahoma City, was considered a lock to end up with the Lakers, but shocked NBA fans and experts alike by choosing to sign long-term with the Thunder.
A year after George opted not to go to Los Angeles, the Clippers are widely considered to be the favorite for Leonard, who was traded from the Spurs to the Raptors in 2018. Given their similar career paths, George has spoken to Leonard about his own experiences, he confirmed last week (Twitter link via Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca). However, PG13 declined to reveal what sort of advice he offered to Kawhi.
“That’s between us,” George said.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- While it remains to be seen if they’ll be able to lock him up long-term, the Raptors have to be pleased with how things have gone with Kawhi Leonard so far, says Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. As Wolstat details, Leonard has seemed happy with how the team has handled his health concerns so far. “It’s big,” Kawhi said, when asked about working in tandem with the Raptors and their medical staff. “You have to be able to play for people that you trust and them being able to see what you feel and you just move from there and try to get better together.”
- Will the Sixers re-sign both Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris this summer? Or will they bring back one or the other? Or neither? Sean Deveney of Sporting News examines the four possible outcomes, citing one source who says there’s “almost no chance” that Butler returns and Harris doesn’t. Harris staying and Butler leaving is considered the most likely scenario, according to Deveney.
- Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report takes a deep dive into D’Angelo Russell‘s upcoming free agency, exploring whether the RFA-to-be point guard is worth the max to the Nets — or another team. Pincus expects Russell’s next deal to ultimately fall between Zach LaVine‘s (four years, $78.8MM) and Devin Booker‘s (five years, maximum salary) in terms of value. That’s a pretty big window, so it’ll be interesting to see how D-Lo’s free agency plays out.
People would have called you crazy if you said you’d rather have Russell than Jimmy Buckets a year ago. They would have said you were a fool if you said you’d even pay Russell more than Butler.. but now I don’t think anyone in his right mind would chose Butler over Russell.
Clearly D’lo has got more future, but still right now I’d rather Butler, he destroyed Boston in the 4th, he might very well be the best closer in the league or close, not sure D’lo will ever be that, though he is great & I always said he would be a star even in his Lakers days, but Butler is a monster competitor at the peak of his game.
It’s definitely closer now than anyone expected, but I think I’d still pick Butler.
Russell is a nice player. But hell need to repeat or improve upon this year to say hes a better bet than Jimmy. Hate paying a guy for a career year. Puts the organization is a iffy spot. I say let him sign an offer sheet and match it. But dont offer him max out the gate.
I would take Butler. Dinwiddie is a kingmaker, benefitting Russell OR Levert, or Harris. He fills all backcourt vacuums, letting the other guard do what he wants, while winning.
I always say such, but @cesc picking Butler too, ouch for Russell. He will get his bag, but Butler more. People say Russell has turned a corner, but 24/7 like Butler? 4/100 Nets, 4/130 Lakers
two cancers jimmy and lebrona deserve one another – coached by magic
Winning cures cancer.
The Nets have the cap flexibility to BOTH resign Russell and give Butler a max. Should they do that idk. If they draft an international player like Sekou Doumbouya at #16 and keep him in Europe it would add 3+MM in space. Then the dude drafted with the DEN pick (#27) has only like a 2MM cap hit. Then they could trade the NYK 2nd (#31) for future 2nds or a future 2nd and swap down to like the #40’s and grab another stash. Without DLo’s cap hold the Nets have about $50MM on the books (would be $45MM if not for D-WILL’s dead money). They’ll be at about $71MM with DLo’s cap hold and cap next year is $109MM. That’s $38MM in space but incomplete roster charges bring it down to about $35-36MM. They just won’t have enough for a solid stretch 4 after, unless someone takes an exception. Maybe Trey Lyles he doesn’t seem to be in Denvers future plans and might not even get a qualifying offer.