While Kawhi Leonard‘s future beyond this season remains very much up in the air, some Raptors officials have become increasingly confident about their chances of re-signing the star forward, sources tell Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
As Lewenberg details in his story, Toronto’s handling of Leonard’s health has gone a long way toward establishing a trust between the team and the player, and things appear to be trending in the right direction as the season winds down. While the club’s success – or lack thereof – in the playoffs figures to be a major factor in his decision, the Raptors’ 12-month head start at earning Kawhi’s confidence could give them a leg up on the Clippers and other suitors, Lewenberg writes.
The Raptors’ pitch this summer figures to center on that trust and familiarity, as well as the franchise’s commitment to chasing a title — not to mention the extra year and money Toronto can offer. However, as Lewenberg notes, the Raps’ investment in keeping Leonard healthy will also play a major part in that pitch.
Although their “load management” approach to Kawhi’s health has earned some criticism and has been the butt of a few jokes this season, the Raptors recognized that the former Defensive Player of the Year prioritizes having a long and healthy career, and have made an effort to work toward that goal.
Team sources tell Lewenberg that even some people within the Raptors’ organization have been skeptical about the load-management approach, but Kawhi and director of sports science Alex McKechnie are in “constant communication” about his health, and the strategy has worked so far.
The details of Leonard’s falling out with the Spurs have never been fully revealed, but there’s a belief that the organization lost Kawhi’s trust due to its handling of his quad injury, including the leak that he had been medically cleared. The Raptors have been cautious not to make the same mistakes, keeping the forward’s medical details close to the vest, Lewenberg writes.
Leonard is hard to read and hasn’t given any public clues as to his offseason decision, but people close to him say he has looked “more and more comfortable” in Toronto as the season goes on, says Lewenberg. The Raptors will have to hope that translates into a long-term commitment to the team this July.
Recently purchased home in San Diego area.
Phew. That isn’t LA. So that means…..nothing.
He lives in San Diego in the offseason.
NBA players usually have several homes. San Diego’s a great place to buy one for any player.
Are you forgetting he went to college at San Diego State and he has family there?
I think he just took another nap 4 Load management
We all have to have a Dream
I sure hope so. Unless he’s coming to my team (Celtics) he should stay in Toronto. The match really is perfect, and it’s fun to watch even as a rival fan.
He’s off to the Clippers. They have the cap room, it’s near where he wants to be, and they have a team that can be competitive. After moving a couple of other players and clearing some cap room, they could potentially land a second max player, or someone like a Cousins who may not get a max deal, but certainly name recognition that can help the cause.
Nah, I wouldn’t count on it. He loves the situation in Toronto.
I would have said this at the start of the season, but I think he’s a Raptor next year.
When Kawhi Leonard sees his tax bill playing in Canada, he’ll change his mind fast.
Lakers.., not Clippers.
Sure, because California is known as a low tax state, NOT!
Hopefully wherever he goes, he gets over this need for “load management”. Get on the court